NEW YORK -- In Sunday's pre-game prattle, master motivator Byron Scott referred to the home hoedown with the surging Sixers as the biggest game of the season.

Sure enough, thanks to his capable coaching, the Nets built a 13-point third-quarter lead.

Then, quicker than you can say "6-11 since the All-Star break," Lord Byron's students atrophied faster than the notion to erect a new arena in Newark.