The only Nets center to show up was Williams, who kept the Nets in the game early.

He said Nets center Sam Bowie "could get tougher, I guess."

"I'm trying to do it for him," said Mutombo, the Nets center.

"It's kind of a dead arena," said Chris Dudley, the Nets center who must call the place home.

Mutombo, the 36-year-old Nets center, saw statistics that were glaring and unfamiliar - his own.

"Defense is the key all the time," said Evan Eschmeyer, the Nets center.

Nets center Alonzo Mourning had 7 points and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes.

Nets center Jason Collins was about to attempt two free throws with 1.9 seconds left and the Nets ahead by 84-82.

"We're not warming them up for the next round," said Jason Williams, the Nets center.

With 24.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Nets center, Sam Bowie, took an in-bounds pass.