Nets welcome Sixers to the Meadowlands

New Jersey is the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race, two games ahead of No. 9 Indiana for the final berth in the postseason. Philadelphia still has slim playoff hopes, as it trails the Nets by four games.

This is the fourth and final meeting between the clubs this season. The Sixers are 2-1 against New Jersey and have captured the last two meetings, both at the Wachovia Center.

Philadelphia has lost five of seven and six of its last 10 at New Jersey.

The Nets open a short two-game homestand. On Friday, Chauncey Billups posted 32 points and 14 assists as the Detroit Pistons kept the rest of the Central Division at arms length with a 110-105 win over New Jersey at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Vince Carter posted 27 points and seven rebounds for the Nets, while rookie Josh Boone netted 17 and Mikki Moore scored 16 in defeat. Richard Jefferson ended with 13 points for New Jersey, which had a two-game winning streak halted.

New Jersey, which has won two of its last three at the Meadowlands, is 19-17 at home this season. The Nets will host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at Continental Airlines Arena.

The 76ers play the first of a two-game road trip. Kyle Korver poured in 26 points off the bench as the 76ers held on to beat the Boston Celtics, 88-82, in a battle of the two worst teams in the Atlantic Division at the Wachovia Center.

Andre Iguodala finished with 23 points and 12 assists, while Samuel Dalembert contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Sixers, who have won three of their last four games overall.

Philadelphia, which has dropped three of its last four as the visitor, is just 10-26 on the road this season. The 76ers are scheduled to visit the New York Knicks on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.