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Nets, Pacers clinging to Eastern playoff hopes

Mar 28, 2008 - 10:31 AM New Jersey (31-41) at Indiana (29-43) 7:00 pm EDT

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The New Jersey and Indiana Pacers are a combined 24 games under .500, but both teams still are alive in the chase for an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

The teams face off on Friday looking up at the Atlanta Hawks, who have a half-game lead over the Nets for eighth place. Indiana trails New Jersey by two games.

The Nets play six of their last 10 games on the road. New Jersey had lost nine straight and 18 of 20 away from home prior to Monday's 106-91 victory over the New York Knicks.

"Especially on the road, defensively, we have to be a whole lot sharper," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "These games are going to be hotly contested and each game is going to be a fight."

Like New Jersey, the Pacers are 5-5 in their last 10 games and are looking to take some of the sting out of a tough season with a spot in the postseason.

"It's been a disappointing season for us, but with 10 games to go we have a chance to salvage it and make the playoffs," Indiana center Jeff Foster said.

The Nets are 6-1 in their last seven games against the Pacers.