Defensive lapses continue to be a concern but the Nets are still energized by Saturday's last-second victory over the Bulls. The Heat will be without Shaquille O'Neal, as well as James Posey and Michael Doleac but have won nine straight games against New Jersey and will start former Net Alonzo Mourning at center.
- Nets All Fired Up for the Heat - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Defense Still an Issue for the Nets - Dave D'Allesandro - Newark Star-Ledger
- Nets Making Progress, Slowly - Bob Considine - Asbury Park Press
- Without Shaq, no room for error - Israel Gutierrez - Miami Herald
- Payton Dissents - Respectively - Ira Winderman - Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
- Heat try to cash in without Shaq - AP
- A healthy Jefferson giving Nets a spark - Al Iannazzone - The Record
- Shaq Racked, So 'Zo's A Go - Joe - JoeNetsfan
- Nothing's sacred - Dave D'Alessandro - NJ.com