This is how it was supposed to work .... okay, maybe only in the dreams of Billy King, Avery Johnson and Mikhail Prokhorov: The Nets develop chemistry, improve their defense and challenge the Heat in the East, but it's actually happening!

The Springfield Armor turned a 17-point deficit into a seven-point third-quarter lead but collapsed in the fourth and lost to the Sioux Falls SkyForce in their home opener Friday night. James Mays once again finished with a double-double..

The Nets did not miss Brook Lopez on Friday, as they eased past the Orlando Magic in the third quarter and cruised to a 12-point victory on Friday night. Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace led the way offensively.

The Nets hold a one-point lead after a sluggish first half. Joe Johnson leads all scorers with 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting.

Bojan Bogdanovic, a 6'8" swingman, faced off against the Bulls Nikola Mirotic, a 6'10" power forward. Both finished with 18 points but Mirotic's Real Madrid mounted a late drive and beat Fenerbahce 77-61.

The Nets will be without Brook Lopez when they look for their fifth straight win on Friday in Orlando, where they won by 39 points three weeks earlier.

Billy King said he noticed the resolve Jerry Stackhouse was showing back in September when he showed up early at the PNY Center. he worked out twice a day in September getting himself ready for the season. He wanted to play ... and play he has.