Also things could change today as well. here is the current standings:

5-Miami (30-27)
6-76ers (29-28)
7-Detroit Pistons (28-29)
8-Milwaukee Bucks (28-33)
9-New Jersey Nets (26-32)
10- Chicago Bulls (26-33)
11-New York Knicks (24-33)

Good that the Knicks lost, bad that the 76ers won. Bucks played great in coming back, but lost. Pistons ended their streak, and Bulls lost by 20 to the Wizards.

Now we are in the 9th seed and need that win against the Hornets!
-———

But now look at all the games today:
Orlando @ 76ers
Miami @ Knicks
Wizards @ Bucks
Rockets @ Bulls

The perfect day would have the Sixers losing to Orlando, New York falling to Miami, Houston beating Chicago and Washington winning over Milwaukee. Best case scenario after tomorrow is:

5. Miami Heat (31-27)
6. Philadelphia 76ers (29-29)
7. Detroit Pistons (28-29)
8-T. Milwaukee Bucks (28-34)
8-T. New Jersey Nets (26-32)
10. Chicago Bulls (26-34)
11. New York Knicks (24-35)

WE would be tied with the Bucks for 8. Highly doubt that the Wizards can beat the Bucks, and we’ll need the Rockets to beat the Bulls.

About a week ago, there were many who said that the Nets had no chance of making the playoffs, but they were wrong. As of right now, they are 1/2 a game behind the Bucks for the last playoff spot, while they are 1/2 a game above the Bulls for 9th place. Maybe the Wizards could beat the Bucks after being able to beat the Bulls last night. Of course the rest of the week will be against either teams that they are competing with for the playoffs and those that they are real good right now. Winning these games can really boost them. They had already won the last games that mattered, so maybe they will win these.

nice analysis R.M.
its safe to say that we have more control over our own destiny now.

I think the game will be fun and interesting, especially watching CP and DH (the stimulus package!) playing head to head. But, I don’t give the Nets much of a chance unless VC remembers how to play. How pathetic is the East: the Knicks are ten games under .500 and are only 2 1/2 games out? Wow.

Nets fans have to give RJ credit as he is keeping a depleted Bucks team in the thick of things (could VC do that? No, obviously, he is not doing it now, Dharris is.) I think if they had Redd or if he came back, that would be a great story and a team that could cause trouble.

Nets are going to need some luck and for VC to return to form – not the form of MR Fade Away, but a money player (Okay, it’s too late for that, but he has to shoot well and contribute at least some points and matter when it counts) if they are going to go 2 – 2 in the next four. I cross my fingers, but imagine 1 – 3 or 0 – 4. With VC playing as if he earned 60% of his money 2 – 2; with VC playing like the bum he’s been 0 – 4.

Lolah your saying RJ is keeping the depleted bucks in the thick of things? maybe its charlie villueneva and ramon sessions not all RJ he is getting help. Carter does a lot for this team you probably dont realize

Mmm… it’s not coincidence… since Ridnour and Redd got injured, Jefferson and Villanueva have been much better… With Ridnour out, Sessions is carrying the Bucks… He’s Milwaukee’s best facilitator. He’s making RJ better than when Ridnour was the main PG. Also, Redd being out has helped him, cause he’s a selfish guy who doesnt share the ball, something that hurted RJs game. RJ can create his own shots, he lives from what others create for him, as we saw all those years, when he played off Kidd and Carter.
Also, this team is better this year than last year w/ RJ. Sorry for the past lovers. That’s not coincidence.

Sorry, I meant RJ CANT create his own shots.

@ ben

you’re so right.
Carter’s greatness lies in his all-around game, which impacts the game in a way only superficial analysis can ignore:

“Vince Carter is averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 55 starts this season. There are only four players in the NBA who are averaging at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists; LeBron James with 28.3, 7.2 and 7.0, Chris Paul with 21.7, 5.3 and 10.8, Kobe Bryant with 27.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 and Dwyane Wade with 28.8, 5.0 and 7.3 assists… Carter is just .2 assists shy of joining that list along with Stephen Jackson with 20.8, 4.9 and 6.4 assists per contest.”

Unfortunately, both the Bulls and Bucks won last night, so the Nets have to win tonight against the Hornets to stay within striking distance of the playoffs and possibly make it.