By KATE HEDLIN, STATS Writer
While facing one of the league's highest scoring offenses is a difficult
enough task on its own, the New Jersey Nets might have the added challenge of
doing it without one of their top scorers.
The Nets may be without Nenad Krstic, their starting center and
second-leading scorer, on Saturday when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks at the
Bradley Center.
Krstic is averaging 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds this season -- both career
highs. However, on Friday night he had only scored four points in 19:47 before
leaving the Nets' 99-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers with a knee injury.
Midway through the third quarter, Krstic caught a pass from Richard
Jefferson, but when he started to move down the lane his knee gave out and he
fell to the floor.
"I went to spin," Krstic said in a statement. "My knee twisted and I
heard a pop."
An MRI exam is planned for Saturday to determine the extent of the injury,
but coach Lawrence Frank did not sound optimistic.
"You feel horrible for the kid," Frank said. "From the naked eye, it
doesn't look good. That's why they have doctors. You don't want to see anyone
get hurt in this game. He is such a good kid, forget the fact he is a really
good player."
Krstic's injury comes at a particularly inopportune time. After splitting a
four-game homestand, the Nets (11-15) are beginning a stretch which will see
them play 13 of 19 games on the road. New Jersey is 3-6 away from home this
season.
The Nets are facing a Milwaukee team averaging 102.1 points per game for the
season and 113.3 in the last four games.
The Bucks (12-14) have won a season-high three straight games following a
113-107 victory at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Mo Williams scored 26
points and added seven rebounds, one day after he recorded his first career
triple-double in a 121-95 rout of the defending NBA champion Miami Heat.
Michael Redd led Milwaukee with 29 points Friday, while Charlie Bell added
28.
"Yeah, we definitely have a little rhythm going," said Bell, who started
in place of Ruben Patterson, who was sidelined with a stomach virus. "Everyone
is shooting the ball really well right now. Mo has got it going. Mike has had it
going all season long. We are going out and playing hard."
Milwaukee is seeking its first four-game winning streak since April 2-7,
2004.
This is the third meeting and final meeting between the teams this season.
The Nets won the two previous contests, both of which were played at Continental
Airlines Arena, and have taken five straight matchups with the Bucks overall.
The Bucks are looking for their sixth straight win at the Bradley Center,
where they are 7-4 this season.
Updated on Saturday, Dec 23, 2006 3:29 am, EST
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