Nets go for milestone win against Raptors

New Jersey will try once again to earn its 1000th win. Since entering the NBA in 1976-77, the Nets have posted a 999-1362 mark.

On Wednesday, Richard Hamilton shot 10-of-14 from the field and scored 30 points, as the Detroit Pistons defeated New Jersey, 93-83, at the Meadowlands. Vince Carter scored a team-high 27 points in the loss for the Nets.

Jefferson posted a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds in the loss to the Pistons for New Jersey, while center Nenad Krstic poured in 13 points for the Nets, who had a two-game winning streak halted.

The Nets are 4-3 at home this season. After tonight’s contest, New Jersey will hit the road for two games as it will visit the Charlotte Bobcats and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Toronto, meanwhile, comes in on a rare winning note after Charlie Villanueva’s basket with 2.5 seconds remaining broke a late tie and lifted the Raptors past the Atlanta Hawks, 102-101, at Philips Arena in a battle between the two worst teams in the league.

Villanueva ended with 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who snapped a six-game losing streak and earned just their second win in 17 games this season.

Chris Bosh scored a team-high 23 points and had nine rebounds for Toronto, which also earned its first road win of the campaign. Jalen Rose and Morris Peterson had 15 points apiece as the Raptors earned their first win since November 20.

Toronto, which plays the middle contest of a three-game road trip tonight, is 1-7 away from home this season.

New Jersey, which defeated Toronto earlier in the year, has won two straight and five of its last seven meetings with the Raptors. Toronto has also struggled in the Garden State, where it has dropped eight of 10 and 10 of its last 13.