Nets 102 @ Knicks 86 (F) Game Day Coverage: Friday, October 26th

By Matt McQueeny, NJNets.com

Posted 10:58PM 10/26/07

Kidd Returns

Jason Kidd got into his first game action of the season - er, preseason - tonight against the Knicks. He did not seem to show any effects from the strained back he suffered on October 14th. Kidd played 30 minutes and scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds, and four assists. He did commit five turnovers, but it was what has become a typical Kidd night at the Garden.

Said Lawrence Frank, "he is one of a kind. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer. It is amazing the impact he has even in an exhibition game. He is one of those rare guys who makes everyone raise their level. Not only their energy level but their accountability level."

"We wouldn't have gone this far if there were any problems in practice," said Kidd, refering to the last few days of full-contact workouts he has gotten in.

"I had two good practices. I have done my treatments. I feel great and I am ready to go."

"I played this summer. I have had some great workouts. I have played enough basketball. I didn't really need too many preseason games. Tonight was a great dress rehearsal for us to understand what we need to do to win. We did a great job."

Posted 10:00PM 10/26/07

Nets Win 102-86

New Jersey's lead never dipped below double-digits in the fourth and they won 102-86 over the Knicks. Vince Carter scored 22 in the game, along with six rebounds and five assists - all numbers that are almost exactly to his regular season averages. Jason Kidd played 30 minutes, scored 10 points, boarded six and dished four assists. Bostjan Nachbar scored 13 and Jamaal Magloire scored 10 and boarded eight.

Eddy Curry led the way for the Knicks with 21 and David Lee had 14 points and 12 rebounds.

"I think this was a great dress rehearsal and we have a good feeling where we are at," said Lawrence Frank after the game. "I thought it was a solid effort and something we can grow on."

Posted 9:30PM 10/26/07

Third Quarter - Nets Break it Open

The Nets came out of the half on a 20-3 run and led 78-56 af the end of three. It could have been an even bigger lead if Jamaal Magloire converted on more of his free-throws. The center got their 10 times in the third, converting on just two, a night after going 2-of-8 for the game. Richard Jefferson scored seven and Vince Carter six.

Posted 8:50PM 10/26/07

Halftime - Early 11-2 Second Quarter Run Creates Net Separation

The Nets continued on their run that ended the first. In all, it was a 20-4 run between the late first and early second quarters. The Knicks responded with an 18-5 run and the Nets responded to that with an 8-3 advantage to close the half. Eddy Curry and Nate Robinson scored five apiece in the second. For the Nets in the quarter, Vince Carter scored nine and Bostjan Nachbar seven. The Nets led 52-43 at halftime.

Posted 8:22PM 10/26/07

First Quarter- Nets Jump Out

The Nets lead 28-20 at the end of the first quarter. In Jason Kidd's return to action things looked a whole lot smoother. New Jersey and New York stayed close early but the Nets rode a late 9-2 run to take the eight point lead. Kidd played 9:25 minutes, scoring six points; Vince Carter scored seven, and Jamaal Magloire had four points, three rebounds, and one nifty back door assist to Vince Carter from the high post. Stephon Marbury led the way for the Knicks with eight.

Posted 10:38AM 10/26/07

"Big Cat" Plays Well

Jamaal Magloire played his best game of the preseason last night against the Sixers. Starting in place of Nenad Krstic – who did not play as a precautionary measure – Magloire scored 14 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, and blocked two shots in 33:21 minutes of play. His scoring total could have been even higher if he converted better at the free-throw line, where he went 2-of-8. He also showed hustle - especially going after long caroms and balls headed out of bounds - and enforcer-like toughness around the hoop.

“I think he’s coming back to his old self,” said Bostjan Nachbar after the game. “A guy who hustles and he’s a force down there. You could see that when he made fouls he didn’t really make easy ones. He knocked guys down, which is something we want from him. He’s strong and he’s great at that.”

“I think he’s still trying to adjust to the whole system. We put in a lot of new offensive schemes. I think it’s going to take him a little while longer to totally adjust. But as practices go on, you can see him getting better and better, and that’s very encouraging.”

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