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Cavaliers face possible playoff opponent in Nets

Apr 12, 2007 - 3:22 PM New Jersey (37-40) at Cleveland (46-32) 8:00 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- In a possible playoff preview, the Cleveland Cavaliers host the New Jersey Nets on Thursday.

Cleveland is third in the Eastern Conference, one-half game behind Chicago with four games left. The Nets, who are closing in on a playoff spot, are seventh in the conference standings.

LeBron James scored 20 points as the Cavaliers endured an 87-82 loss at Detroit on Sunday. James has made just 12-of-39 shots in his last two games.

The Nets are 1 1/2 games ahead of Orlando (36-42) for eighth place. They also are 2 1/2 games in front of ninth-place Indiana (35-43).

New Jersey also is just two games behind Washington (39-39) for sixth place.

On Tuesday, the Nets completed a home-and-home sweep of Washington with a 96-92 victory. Richard Jefferson scored a season-high 35 points and Vince Carter added 31 for the Nets, who have won six of their last eight games.

The teams have split two games this season.