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Nets without Kidd against first-place Raptors

Feb 14, 2007 - 4:25 PM New Jersey (25-28) at Toronto (28-24) 7:00 pm EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Injuries have been the story of the New Jersey Nets' season and it keeps getting worse.

With three of their top four players out, the Nets will look to head into the All-Star break with a win when they take on the first-place Toronto Raptors, who hold a 3 1/2 game-lead over New Jersey in the Atlantic Division.

Already reeling from losing forward Richard Jefferson (ankle) and center Nenad Krstic (ACL tear), the Nets lost point guard Jason Kidd, who will be sidelined until after the All-Star break with lower back problems. The star point guard is averaging 14.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.7 assists in 52 games.

"I have been undergoing treatment for the past two days, and my condition has improved significantly," Kidd said. "Although, I am feeling much better, rest at this time is the way to go."

Without Kidd, the Nets had their three-game winning streak snapped by San Antonio, 107-82, on Tuesday. Struggling to find their rhythm without Kidd orchestrating the offense, the Nets missed their first 13 shots of the second period, leading to a 20-0 Spurs' run to start the quarter.

Rookie guard Marcus Williams started his first game in place of Kidd and had nine points and a season-high 10 assists and Eddie House added 16 points off the bench for the Nets, who shot just 39 percent (32-of-82).

It will not be easy against the Raptors, who have won six of their last seven games.

Toronto picked up a dramatic 112-111 win over Chicago on Tuesday. All-Star Chris Bosh nailed two free throws with 2.1 seconds left after corralling an offensive rebound to seal the victory.