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Despite dismal month, Nets visit Knicks with playoffs in mind

Mar 24, 2008 - 1:02 PM New Jersey (29-41) at New York (19-50) 7:30 pm EDT

NEW YORK (Ticker) - The New Jersey Nets have not played like playoff contenders this month.

The Nets try to get their postseason push back on track Monday when they visit the lowly New York Knicks.

New Jersey has lost its last two games and nine of its 12 contests in March. Despite the recent drought, the Nets (29-41) are just 1 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Hawks (30-39) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Despite 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists from Vince Carter, New Jersey failed to bounce back on Saturday, suffering a 91-87 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers (35-35), who occupy the seventh spot in the East.

The Knicks have been nearly a mirror image of the Nets this month, winning just once in 11 games during March.

New York suffered its fourth consecutive loss on Saturday, enduring a 114-93 setback against the equally-dismal Minnesota Timberwolves.

Malik Rose scored 20 points to lead six players in double figures for the Knicks, who allowed the Timberwolves to shoot 53 percent (42-of-79) from the field.