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Banged-up Nets visit Raptors

Jan 6, 2012 - 3:42 PM (Sports Network) - The New Jersey Nets try to put the brakes on a six-game losing streak this evening when they head north of the border to battle the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre.

The Nets have followed up their season-opening win in Washington with six straight losses, including a lopsided 89-70 defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

Rookie MarShon Brooks started in place of Deron Williams -- who missed the contest due to sore ribs -- and scored 17 points to lead the Nets, but was slowed in the second half with an ankle injury.

"They really turned up the pressure, clamped us down, and smothered us. They're a championship team with a lot of experience," Nets head coach Avery Johnson said.

X-Rays after the game on Brooks' ankle were negative, but he is questionable for tonight's affair. Damion Jones also injured his right foot in the loss and is doubtful to play tonight. However, Williams and Kris Humphries, who also missed the Boston game with a sprained left shoulder, are expected back in the lineup for tonight's tilt.

Toronto, meanwhile, comes into tonight's tilt having won two straight after a three-game losing streak. On Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Andrea Bargnani dropped a game-high 31 points and pulled down seven rebounds, leading the Raptors to a 92-77 victory.

DeMar DeRozan finished with 25 points and five rebounds, while Jose Calderon scored 13 and dished out 11 assists for the Raptors, who haven't won three in a row since a four-game run from Nov. 17-24, 2010.

"Everybody here wants to win," Calderon said. "I don't know if we're more comfortable than before, but if we keep winning like that everyone will be on the same page."

Bargnani and Calderon have been the catalysts on the defensive end for the Raptors, who are holding opponents to a league-low 39.8 percent shooting from the floor.

"He (Bargnani) was textbook defensively. If a high school or a college coach wanted to look at him closing out, tagging, they'd just watch the game last night ... because he defends perfectly. He's really, really doing the right things," head coach Dwane Casey said.

"The attention to detail defensively is off the charts. He?s just got to continue to do it and make it part of our personality."

Bargnani has also been the driving force on the offensive end, averaging 27.5 points per game over his past four outings.

Tonight's contest begins a seven games in nine nights stretch for Toronto which consists of two back-to-backs and its lone back-to-back-to-back stanza.

The Raptors could continue their impressive play of late, as they have won four straight at home from the Nets. They've also won seven of the last nine overall meetings.