Nets try to halt four-game slide

East Rutherford, NJ (Basketball News) - The struggling New Jersey Nets attempt to halt a four-game losing streak tonight when they host the Milwaukee Bucks at Continental Airlines Arena.

New Jersey lost Wednesday in front of its home crowd to the Grizzlies, 96-93, after the Nets had returned home from a five-game West Coast trip, which saw them register a 2-3 record. With the loss to Memphis, the Nets have dropped three in a row at home.

Richard Jefferson, who converted a career-high 12 free throws, delivered 24 points and 10 rebounds Wednesday for the Nets, who have lost six of their last eight overall. Kenyon Martin added 20 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

New Jersey is a dismal 2-6 at home this season.

Milwaukee comes into tonight’s contest off a win.

Michael Redd scored 25 points and Joe Smith added 18, as the Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 106-94, Tuesday at Philips Arena.

Erick Strickland and Dan Gadzuric chipped in 15 points apiece Tuesday for Milwaukee, which has won four of its last six contests.

Milwaukee forward Tim Thomas has missed four straight games with a sprained ankle, while teammate Toni Kukoc did not play against Atlanta because of back spasms.

Thomas is questionable, while Kukoc is expected to miss tonight’s game.

In 2002-03, the teams split four games as each won once on its homecourt and once as the visitor.

Overall, New Jersey has won four of the last six contests between the two squads. Milwaukee has lost six of nine and nine of its last 13 at New Jersey.