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Streaking Nets open road swing vs. Kings

Jan 22, 2007 - 4:25 PM New Jersey (20-20) at Sacramento (15-23) 10:00 pm EST

SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- After making their way back to the top of the Atlantic Division, the New Jersey Nets now will have to press on without star forward Richard Jefferson.

The Nets aim to extend their season-high four-game winning streak without Jefferson on Monday when they visit the Sacramento Kings in the opener of a five-game road trip.

After getting off to a slow start this season, New Jersey got back to the .500 mark and remained atop the Atlantic Division with Saturday's 101-94 victory over Orlando.

Eddie House scored 15 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter for the New Jersey, which has won nine of its last 11 games and owns a 1 1/2-game cushion over Toronto (19-22) in the division standings.

But now the Nets will have to make do without Jefferson, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle Monday and will be sidelined indefinitely.

New Jersey did not give a timetable for how long it will be without Jefferson, but the 6-7 swingman told the Newark Star-Ledger on Sunday that he is tired of battling the chronic condition and is fearful of long-term damage to his ankle.

The Nets begin their five-game road trip against a Sacramento club which has dropped eight of its last nine games, including Friday's 91-74 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Corliss Williamson scored 17 points for the Kings, who have dropped four consecutive home games. Sacramento has not lost five straight here since a six-game skid from March 9-April 3, 1998.