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Nets try to stay hot on the road in showdown with Pacers

Dec 23, 2008 - 11:15 AM New Jersey (13-14) at Indiana (10-17), 7:00pm EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets must be relieved to get away from their home floor.

Fresh off their 10th home loss in 15 chances, the Nets return to the road Tuesday for a showdown against the Indiana Pacers. Oddly enough, New Jersey has found much more success away from the IZOD Center, putting together an 8-4 road record.

If the Nets want that trend to continue, they'll have to quickly wipe Monday's performance from their collective memory. Their two guards, Devin Harris and Vince Carter - a duo that has been carrying the team all season - managed to score just 20 combined points on 7-of-24 shooting in an ugly 114-91 loss to the visiting Houston Rockets.

New Jersey has lost six of eight overall after a surprisingly strong start to the 2008-09 campaign.

The Pacers, meanwhile, have won three of four as they try to climb out of the Central Division basement. They hope to be buoyed by the possible return of three players - including leading scorer Danny Granger - who have missed the last two games with a viral infection. Leading rebounder Troy Murhpy and second-leading scorer Marquis Daniels are also expected to get back on the floor.

Indiana didn't need the trio on Saturday, as T.J. Ford drained the game-winner with 3.8 seconds on the clock en route to a 95-94 triumph over Philadelphia.