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Sixers, Nets lock up in Atlantic Division battle

Nov 3, 2007 - 1:26 PM New Jersey (1-1) at Philadelphia (1-1) 7:00 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers have something in common in the early going of the new season: losses to the Toronto Raptors.

The Nets will try to rebound following a miserable performance when they visit the Sixers on Saturday.

New Jersey and Philadelphia both spent last season looking up at Toronto in the Atlantic Division, and this season has started out in similar fashion.

The Nets finished last season in second place in the Atlantic and snuck into the playoffs with the No. 6 seed. They beat Toronto in the first round before falling in the conference semifinals to the Cavaliers.

The Raptors, however, earned a bit of revenge on Friday, pounding the Nets, 106-69. New Jersey shot just 37 percent (25-of-68) from the floor and had just one player - Richard Jefferson with 27 - manage double figures in points.

The Sixers put on a fourth-quarter surge in their season opener on Wednesday, but fell short in a 106-97 loss at the Raptors. Philadelphia rebounded on Friday to pick up a 96-85 win at Chicago.

Andre Miller, who was acquired in the Allen Iverson deal last winter, led the charge with 25 points against the Bulls and has been a great fit as a solid complementary player to Andre Iguodala.

The Nets and Sixers split the season series last season, with each team winning both games on its home court.