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By InsideHoops.com

Editor's note: These are raw, unedited notes from Friday's Knicks at Nets game. Read the pregame notes, skim the game notes, and you'll have the complete picture.

New York Knicks (2-5) visiting the New Jersey Nets (3-5)

PREGAME NETS NOTES

There are reasons for the Nets slow start this season. They've not yet had the services of Lucious Harris and Rodney Rogers. And Kenyon Martin has only played in three of New Jersey's eight games.

As for the team as a whole? Let's look at the team rankings:

The Nets are:
- 27th out of 29 teams in points per game (as in, almost the worst)
- 24th in field goal percentage
- 24th in three-point field goal percentage
- 24th in rebounds per game
- 27th in blocks per game

Note that all team rankings above and immediately below are prior to tonight's matchup.

PREGAME KNICKS NOTES

As for the Knicks, they are playing about as well as expected. New York will have to fight hard for every win. Everyone is hoping for a safe Antonio McDyess return. Dice may see his first game minutes this or next week.

The Knicks are:
- 24th out of 29 teams in points per game
- 19th in field goal percentage
- 29th in offensive rebounds per game (but 5th in defensive boards)
- 25th in steals per game
- 24th in turnovers per game

New York is best in the league in free throw percentage, and fifth in defensive rebounds per game.

RANDOM PREGAME NOTES:

The last time the Knicks and Nets played each other at a time when both teams had a losing record was on March 30, 1991.

The Nets have won seven of their last eight meetings with the Knicks.

AND NOW, THE GAME:

Fans made it to the Continental Airlines Arena today. A rare event that needs to happen a lot more often.

As usual, Kenyon Martin made sure to wave some enthusiasm into the fans.

A foul was called during the actual game tipoff on Dikembe Mutumbo. That's the first I remember seeing that happen.

At 11:04, Keith Van Horn was shooting a free throw to complete a three-point play. A moderate amount of boos were heard prior to his shot, but there was an equal amount of cheers when he hit it.

The Nets play better music during time-outs this season than in the past. There are definitely some duds, but great 80's classics to current top hits are doing the job.

Allan Houston is on fire early, scoring five in the first three minutes.

Richard Jefferson definitely knows how to attack the basket.

You have to respect Michael Doleac's soft shooting touch. Same with Kurt Thomas'.

"Hey Byron, you're in the way," yelled a fan sitting a row or two behind the Nets bench.

Allan Houston keeps pouring it on.

As usual, Kenyon is rocking a white headband.

At 3:40, Zoran Planinic and Alonzo Mourning are in for the Nets. I'm keeping an eye on how Zoran plays, because although he moves well and seems to understand the Nets strategies, actually making things happen has been another story.

At 1:27, Zoran, who obviously has a spy reading over my shoulder, penetrated, hit the layup and drew the foul. He missed the free throw, though. Zoran got away with a travel in the play.

I haven't given you many scoring updates in this quarter, because there hasn't been much scoring.

Zoran just drove and again traveled. This time it got called.

A few plays later: Zoran drives, hits the layup, and didn't travel this time.

At 10:38 Frank Williams is in, playing with Charlie Ward. Small backcourt.

Kenyon Martin keeps it gangsta. Always.

At 8:57, Booties in Motion, the Nets dance team officially known as Power in Motion, made their first appearance. They're wearing an all-black outfit with bare midriffs and extremely tiny tops. They're dancing to a non-descript song, though. I give the outfits an 8.5 out of 10, and the dancing a 5. They didn't really shake it, and the song was weak.

Brandon Armstrong vs. Frank Williams. Oh yes.

Kenyon Martin's first dunk on the break came at about 7:00. He threw it down with two hands, but took it easy and conserved his energy and knees.

At 6:00 it's Nets 28 Kings 23. Lets's call this game a "tough defensive struggle."

"Byron, regular season now, regular season," yelled a fan to coach Scott. What a handy reminder. Thanks, fan!

No one can score.

Mike Sweetney is in the ballgame. He's guarding Jason Collins.

About 20 seconds later, reach-in foul on Sweetney. Aaron Williams to the line. Two misses.

No one on the Knicks can penetrate or get open.

Kerry Kittles is doing well offensively.

At 3:11 Mike Sweetney got a defensive rebound in the middle of the paint, but didn't immediately protect it and Richard Jefferson slapped it out of his hands, getting the ball back for Jersey.

At 2:04: Sweetney fades, shoots, ball is way short and barely hits the front-side of the rim.

At the half: Nets 37 Knicks 31. For the Knicks, Allan Houston had 11 points on good shooting, and just one rebound and one assist. Dikembe Mutumbo played a total of four minutes. Keith Van Horn had seven points, six rebounds and no assists. For the Nets, Kenyon Martin scored 12, and Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson each dished four assists.

AT 11:02 Michael Doleac posted up - something he rarely does - spun in the paint, and unleashed a beautiful finger-roll airball. Nothing like an airball from five feet away from the basket from a seven-footer.

At 8:00 it's Nets 44 Knicks 39.

At 6:00 it's Nets 50 Knicks 40.

Kurt Thomas is a workhorse.

Knicks on a roll. Eight unanswered points in a row for them. It's Nets 50 Knicks 46. Time out Nets at 3:57.

At 3:26 Alonzo Mourning is back in.

The Knicks continue their roll. At 1:10 it's tied at 54.

Zoran for three... good.

With 31 seconds left in the third quarter, Clarence Weatherspoon came in for the Knicks. "Oh no! Oh no! I can't believe he's still in the league," said a fan about Weatherspoon's entrance.

At the buzzer, Zoran Planinic completed a fast break layup.

End of 3: Nets 59 Knicks 59.

SPoon is still in.

At 10:24 Spoon catches the ball on the baseline, drives, and dunks with two hands in traffic. Were the fans too quick to be sarcastic about Clarence's entrance into this matchup?

One play later, Weatherspoon got the ball own low, scored and drew the foul. Free throw was good.

You can't stop Clarence Weatherspoon, you can only hope to contain him.

A Jason Kidd three at 9:35 tied the game at 63.

At 8:49 during a timeout it's "OKAY, Who Wants a T-shirt?!?!?" time in the arena. During this occasion, t-shirts are fired to the fans, who spend more energy cheering in these two minutes than they have in the entire game thus far.

Michael Doleac with a baseline fadeaway... airball.

Time out at 7:27: Nets 67 Knicks 63.

The game is a heated battle now. Over the course of the second half both teams have turned their intensity up.

At 4:25 it's Nets 75 Knicks 70.

A major statement came around 3:50 when Kenyon Martin posted up against Kurt Thomas and was soundly rejected. Kurt yelled in appreciation of himself, as he should - it was a major block and a big play.

At 2:42 it's Nets 76 Knicks 73.

Fans got their money's worth tonight. The first half was lacking, but the second has been hard-fought, exciting and interesting.

Kerry Kittles has been hitting big shots all game.

At 1:10, with Nets 83 Knicks 75, Kidd and Thomas got tangled while the Knicks had the ball, and it was called an offensive on Kurt. It's just about over.

A play later, Thomas missed a jumper.

With 32 seconds left and an 83-75 Nets lead, fans are exiting the building, to drive really fast and get home in time to see car accident reports on the 10-o'clock news.

After a time out, Houston hit a tough three with a defender in his face. Nets 83 Knicks 78.

With 20 seconds left, Houston threw it away. Now we're basically done.

Final score: Nets 85 Knicks 80.

For the Nets, Jason Kidd finished with 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 10 assists.

Kenyon Martin was huge with 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting and 10 rebounds. Collins grabbed 11 boards.

For the Knicks, Allan Houston had 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting. He also had three steals.

Kurt Thomas added 14, and grabbed 14 rebounds while dishing five assists.

The Nets shot 45.5% from the field for the game. The Knicks shot 37.5%. Rebounding was pretty even. Steals were even. The Nets went 21-for-34 from the free throw line, while the Knicks went 20-of-22.