Nets try to get back on winning track at Charlotte

On Tuesday, the Nets were manhandled by the NBA-leading Detroit Pistons, who rolled past them, 85-71, at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Richard Jefferson scored 18 points for New Jersey, which has lost two of its last three games.

Vince Carter scored 13 points, while Jason Kidd and Nenad Krstic added 10 points apiece. Kidd also matched his season low of three assists.

New Jersey, which will visit Milwaukee out of the break, has dropped seven in a row on the road and is 10-16 away from home this season. A loss tonight would give the Nets their first eight-game road slide since January 19-March 2, 2001.

Charlotte, meanwhile, comes in on a losing note as well after falling to the Portland Trail Blazers, 91-83, on Monday at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Raymond Felton led Charlotte with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the field, as the Bobcats dropped their third consecutive game.

Brevin Knight, Primoz Brezec and Bernard Robinson all added 14 points each in the loss. Knight also dished out a game-high nine assists.

On the injury front, backup center Jake Voskuhl is expected to miss tonight’s tilt with the flu. The Bobcats are already thin up front with forwards Emeka Okafor (ankle), Sean May (knee) and Gerald Wallace (knee) already sidelined with injuries.

Charlotte, which will start the second half on a six-game road trip, is 10-17 in its building this season.

New Jersey has split its two matchups with the Bobcats this season, but has won five of the six all-time matchups. The Nets are also a perfect 3-0 in Charlotte against the Bobcats.