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Nets and Raptors clash at The Rock

Jan 29, 2012 - 3:38 PM (Sports Network) - Atlantic Division rivals meet in North Jersey Sunday when the Nets welcome Toronto to The Rock.

New Jersey has been on an uptick recently, winning three of their past four games. Deron Williams recorded a double-double with 27 points and 10 assists on Friday in Cleveland as the Nets held off the Cavaliers 99-96 at Quicken Loans Arena for their latest victory.

Kris Humphries, who left Friday's shootaround with an illness, fought through it, scoring 18 points and pulling down 11 boards. Anthony Morrow added 22 points and six rebounds.

"The guys played hard and came out with a lot of focus early in the game. I think we set the tone for this game in the first quarter," said New Jersey head coach Avery Johnson.

Rookie MarShon Brooks (Achilles) missed his third straight game for the Nets, while teammate Mehmet Okur (back) also missed the contest. Both players have been listed as questionable for tonight's affair although it's a long shot either plays.

Williams has been the barometer for any New Jersey success. When the two-time All-Star, who is averaging 22.3 points and 9.5 assists over his last six games, scores 24-plus the Nets are 5-0 and when he scores under that number the team is a dismal 2-12.

The Raptors, who are finishing a five-game road trip tonight, had a small two- game run halted in Denver on Friday when the Nuggets ran away for a 96-81 triumph.

Leandro Barbosa paced the Raptors in the Rockies with 19 points, while Jerryd Bayless had 18 and James Johnson donated 16 points. Aaron Gray had a big night on the glass, grabbing 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost nine of their last 11 overall and are 2-2 on their trek.

Toronto played Denver without star power forward Andrea Bargnani, who will be out indefinitely after aggravating a calf strain in a double-overtime win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

"You have to believe you can win right from the jump ball," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said. "That's the challenge I issued our guys after the game tonight. I didn't see the belief in their eyes."

New Jersey has taken three of its last four against the Raptors, including a 97-85 win north of the border on Jan. 6.