The last time the Nets were in Charlotte, six days ago, Paul Silas decided not to double cover Deron Williams and the rest is, literally, Nets history. D-Will scored 57, a Nets NBA franchise high, and the Nets won, but it was close. Since then, the Bobcats have beaten the Magic and lost to the Jazz in a close game.

But the big news out of Charlotte is that Silas now has a free hand and has used it, first to de-activate Boris Diaw and bench Tyrus Thomas and Desagana Diop, who are making a combined $23 million this season. Rookie Bismack Biyombo who played Dwight Howard to a draw in the win over the Magic has renewed confidence and is playing big minutes.

For the Nets, it's a chance to continue playing well. Since they ended their eight-game losing streak with a road win over the Bulls, the Nets are 5-4 and 3-2 over the last five. As they have most of the season, the Nets will suit up 10 healthy players. Mehmet Okur was supposed to be re-evaluated this week, but there's no indication when, or if, he will return.

• New Jersey Nets Game Notes - New Jersey Nets
• Charlotte Bobcats Game Notes - Charlotte Bobcats
• Getting Inside - New Jersey Nets - Sports Xchange
• Getting Inside - Charlotte Bobcats - Sports Xchange
• Nets-Bobcats Preview - Matt Becker - Stats LLC
• Nets' Deron Williams looking to combat double-teams with Brook Lopez out again - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
• Humphries holds his own - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
• MarShon Brooks' growing pains - Andy Vasquez - The Record
• Friday's game: Bobcats vs. Nets - Rick Bonnell - Charlotte Observer