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Nets visit Pistons clinging to playoff hopes

Apr 4, 2008 - 1:21 PM New Jersey (31-44) at Detroit (53-21) 8:00 pm EDT

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) - The New Jersey Nets have had their chances to break into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference but have failed to seize the opportunity.

The Nets try to snap a three-game losing streak on Friday when they visit the Detroit Pistons.

New Jersey (31-44) enters the contest four games behind the Atlanta Hawks (35-40) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with just seven games left to play in the regular season.

However, the Nets have dropped five of their last seven games, two against the Philadelphia 76ers (38-37), who are in a three-way tie with the Toronto Raptors (38-37) and Washington Wizards (38-37) for fifth place in the East.

Despite 29 points, seven assists and six rebounds from Vince Carter, New Jersey failed to end its slide, falling 108-99 to the 76ers on Tuesday.

The Pistons continued their winning ways on Tuesday, picking up their third straight win with a 94-90 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Detroit can coast from here until the playoffs with second place apparently wrapped up. The Pistons (53-21) are 6 1/2 games in front of the Orlando Magic (47-28) but trail the first-place Boston Celtics by the same margin.