The skinny: New Jersey comes to The Palace lugging a three-game losing streak that has virtually eliminated the Nets from playoff contention – they’re four games back of No. 8 seed Atlanta in the loss column with just seven games left. Nets GM Rod Thorn wrung all he could from the Jason Kidd trade, getting a young point guard to build around in Devin Harris as well as salary-cap relief and two No. 1 picks, but it was too late to salvage this season. Both Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter are playing heavy minutes and putting up big numbers – Jefferson’s averaging 22.8, Carter 21.5 – but the Nets remain undermanned inside. Josh Boone and Nenad Krstic, still not back to where he was before the mid-season knee injury more than a year ago, are the current starters with rookie Sean Williams and DeSagana Diop, another product of the Kidd trade, coming off the bench. Marcus Williams, second-year point guard and former No. 1 pick, has been a disappointment. Bostjan Nachbar has holes in his game, but he can punch up the offense with his perimeter shooting off the bench.

What to watch: The Pistons, who will be going for their second straight season sweep of New Jersey, are likely to give their starters light minutes for the second straight game. Rip Hamilton, who’s missed four of the last five games since suffering a hip injury in the March 23 loss at Washington, didn’t practice again on Thursday and is almost certain to sit this one out. Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace were in street clothes, as well, for Tuesday’s win at Minnesota. It makes sense that this would be Antonio McDyess’ turn to take a game off, but that’s just a guess. At any rate, expect to see lots of Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo, Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell. Flip Saunders said he also wants to give more time to Walter Herrmann over the final eight games. The Pistons’ next three games – Miami and New York follow New Jersey – are against non-playoff teams and are the most likely to see the young players get extended minutes.

Probable Starters

Prince McDyess Wallace Hamilton Billups Forward Forward Center Guard Guard Jefferson Krstic Boone Carter Harris