National Basketball Association

Tough Feb. slate may keep Nets on track for infamy

Published Feb. 2, 2010 3:57 a.m. ET

foxsports

Even the worst team in NBA history eventually had a hot streak.

The 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers went 9-73, a mark the New Jersey Nets are squarely on pace to challenge. By losing their last two games in January, the Nets fell to 4-42, the same record the 76ers had through 46 games.

Philadelphia wouldn't gets its fifth win until mid-February, in its 63rd game. But that started a run of five victories in seven games to end the month.

Can the Nets do the same? Looking at their schedule, it doesn't appear likely.

The Pistons have lost five in a row and are the closest team to the Nets in the Eastern Conference standings - albeit a full 11 games ahead.

Prediction: WIN. 5-42.

Heading across the border to face the surging Raptors in the second night of a back-to-back means heading back to the loss column.

Prediction: LOSS. 5-43.

After recent losses to the Magic, Hawks and Lakers, the Celtics deserve an easy win. The Nets should be able to oblige.

Prediction: LOSS. 5-44.

As bad as Pistons have been, nobody is bad enough to lose to Nets twice in a week.

Prediction: LOSS. 5-45.

The Cavaliers will be two days from a showdown against the Magic, so maybe the Nets catch them looking ahead.

It shouldn't matter.

Prediction: LOSS. 5-46.

Last game before All-Star weekend, and nobody needs a break more than the Nets. Maybe they leave for a few days on a high note.

Prediction: WIN. 6-46.

The Nets beat the Bobcats in December for their first victory after 18 straight losses. Given Charlotte's turnaround since then, that might go down as New Jersey's best win of the season.

Prediction: LOSS. 6-47.

Dwyane Wade can become a free agent this summer, and the Nets will have as much or more money than anyone else to spend. Would he swap South Beach for East Rutherford?

Probably not.

Prediction: LOSS. 6-48.

The Raptors don't have anybody who can guard New Jersey center Brook Lopez. But Toronto has shooters all over its roster, while the Nets are last in the league in field goal percentage.

Prediction: LOSS. 6-49.

If the Nets made a deal before the trade deadline, the locker room could be energized since the arrival of the newcomers. If they didn't, a few players are going to be miserable realizing there's no escape this season.

Prediction: LOSS. 6-50.

This is the Nets' last chance to get a win on their four-game homestand, but it comes against a Trail Blazers team that is always tough on the road.

Prediction: LOSS. 6-51.

The Celtics either beat Cleveland two nights earlier and they're ripe for a letdown in a 1 p.m. start, or they lost and they're going to come out angry.

Either way, they win this game.

Prediction: LOSS. 6-52.

If the Wizards broke up their team earlier in the month, they could arrive at the Meadowlands with a less talented group than the Nets.

Prediction: WIN. 7-52.

A 3-10 month would not only be the Nets' best of the season, it would put them ahead of the pace of the Sixers, who were 4-55 after 59 games.

And New Jersey could use the cushion, since it opens March with consecutive games against Cleveland and Orlando, followed by a tough five-game road trip.

The Nets may need that hot streak yet.