avery johnson

Just when it appeared nothing could slow down the Brooklyn Nets, something derailed the Brooklyn Nets: they were slapped with the worst All-Star snub since 1978.

The move has helped erase much of the sting from the 3-10 run they were on before coach Johnson was let go.

The Nets have won just three of their last 13 games in December, falling to .500.

After blowing a 14-point lead in a loss to the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat on Saturday, the Nets will play host to the last year's second-best team tonight.

Yesterday's win whets the appetite for tonight's showdown against the Knicks.