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Surging Nets set for division battle vs. Sixers

Dec 6, 2008 - 11:18 AM New Jersey (10-8) at Philadelphia (9-11) 7:00 p.m. EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets were supposed to be in full rebuilding mode after they let go of Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson over the last year. Turns out they were just getting better.

The surging Nets will be looking for their fifth win in six games when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

New Jersey has been coming together behind the play of point guard Devin Harris, the key piece that came back to the team when they sent Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks at the trading deadline last season.

Harris is averaging a team-high 24.8 points and adding 6.1 assists per game. He went off for 47 points in a win at Phoenix on November 30 and has gone over 30 points six times this season.

Yi Jianlian, the main piece that came back when Jefferson was shipped to the Milwaukee Bucks, is emerging as well, chipping in 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds.

Yi and Harris had 16 points apiece and Vince Carter led with 18 as the Nets trounced the Minnesota Timberwolves, 113-84, on Friday. New Jersey shot 53 percent (39-of-74) and forced 16 turnovers in the win.

The Sixers picked up a 96-91 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday despite being without forward Elton Brand, who took the night off to rest an ailing hamstring. He is day-to-day.

Philadelphia has won two of three since ending November on a four-game slide.