Hooped Up

With 16 games left on the Nets’ schedule, exactly one month left in the regular-season to earn their way into the postseason, coach Lawrence Frank admits time is running out. His team either will get back to its old defensive ways, or it will be home watching the playoffs by the end of April.

Richard Jefferson guarantees the Nets will match or surpass their longest winning streak of the season - a modest four games; but if they’re going to do so, Frank says it’s going to have to happen on the defensive end of the floor. And that’ll have to start against the Clippers tonight at 6 p.m.

“We match that or break that. That’s my prediction,” Jefferson said. “Every team I’ve been [on here] has had a double-digit win streak. But for where this team wants to get and how we feel we’re playing and the direction we’re moving, I think that’s a safe bet.

“I’m insanely optimistic. And in the six years you’ve heard me say that, haven’t for some reason things turned up roses? I believe with 16 games to go this team is going to reel off four big wins.”

New York Post