The Hudson River rivalry resumes tonight when the Knicks cross the border to take on the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena.

Following their 101-61 loss in Boston on Wednesday, the Knicks aim to get back on the track that led them to back-to-back wins to start the preseason.

"We weren't good as a team," Knicks President, Basketball Operations and Head Coach Isiah Thomas said Wednesday night after falling to Boston. "You know we’ve got to find through this whole process, we've got to find 8 or 9 guys that can play together."

That next chance comes against the Nets, and unlike the Boston game which pitted superstar against superstar with names like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, the Nets lineup will look drastically different than what they’ll field opening night. That's because Jason Kidd, Nenad Krstic, Antoine Wright and Darrell Armstrong are either out or questionable with injuries.

"(Kidd) had a back problem last year, so it's going to take some time,'' Nets head coach Lawrence Frank told the Associated Press. "He's been to a chiropractor the past two days, so he's very stiff. Even if it was a regular season game, he couldn't play.''

Still, the Nets, who went 41-41 last season to finish 2nd in the Atlantic, have a formidable tandem in Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, who both are expected to play. Carter had 13 points in 22 minutes in his preseason debut Monday night against the Charlotte Bobcats, while Richard Jefferson chipped in 11.

This game will also mark the second time that Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph appear on the floor together as they look to prove that they can dominate a game while working in tandem. Curry, who appeared in his first preseason action Wednesday night, believes it is a work in progress.

"We are still learning," he said. "We're learning each other, and the team, you know, is still learning."

Throughout the preseason, Thomas has preached defense first, and tonight’s game against an explosive offense will provide an excellent barometer to see just how far his squad has come, especially considering the 101-point outburst by the Celtics just 24 hours earlier

“I think we came out a little intimidated (by Boston's offense)," said Thomas. "I think our team played against the press coverage and the press clippings as opposed to the actual team. … You've got to be able to stop people. As we're making our transition from a good offensive team to hopefully one day a great defensive team, we need defenders, (such as and Fred Jones.) He's one of the better defensive players in the league."

After being swept by the Nets during last year's regular season series, it is important for the Knicks to make a statement that they are ready to take on the Atlantic Division.

"Preseason or not, it's always important when you play a team in your division," said guard Nate Robinson. "We want to make a name for ourselves and now is the time for that.”