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Nets look to turn tables on Suns

Nov 4, 2008 - 3:43 PM PHOENIX (2-1) AT NEW JERSEY (1-1), 7:30 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- As the New Jersey Nets have toiled in mediocrity the last few seasons, success against the high-powered Phoenix Suns has been hard to come by.

With both teams in varying degrees of transition, the new-look Nets hope they can change their fortunes when they host the Suns on Tuesday night.

New Jersey has dropped eight of its last nine meetings with Phoenix.

The Nets, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2001 last season, are trying to rebuild around a host of younger players, including point guard Devin Harris, forward Yi Jianlian and rookie center Brook Lopez.

New Jersey took advantage of a shorthanded Washington Wizards club in the season opener, as Harris and Vince Carter combined for 34 points and 11 assists in a 98-85 victory. But three days later, they dropped a 105-97 decision to the Golden State Warriors.

The Suns are trying to make a smooth transition from the up-tempo attack that has defined them for the last four years to the more conservative, defense-focused philosophy that new head coach Terry Porter has emphasized.

Phoenix picked up victories over the rival San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers during the first week of the season, with a loss to the New Orleans Hornets sandwiched in between.