Four games remain in the Nets’ season and for some players their Nets careers, but that’s a story for a different day. For today, it’s all about tomorrow. Of the Final Four, this is the game that matters most to the Nets.

We’re not saying they should take off their last three. The Nets should play every game the same. But there’s no denying Nets-Knicks IV has different significance, especially since New York has dominated the season series.

The Knicks have won the first three games - including last week's ESPN-televised game at the Garden - and are averaging 112 points in three victories. It doesn’t take a genius to know the Nets are going to have to play better defense if they’re going to get a game against the Knicks this season.

Defense: that seems to be a thing of the past for the Nets. They’re allowing 112.7 points in their last six games and gave up 116 points last night to the Pistons, who rank 23rd in scoring.

We know, the Nets are missing most of their best defenders: in the paint (Kris Humphries), and on the perimeter (Deron Williams).

There is a chance Williams and Humphries will play in the Knicks’ game, but if they do that likely will be it for them this season. This also is the cutoff game for Damion James, the rookie small forward who has been out with a sore foot.

If you don’t see any of them tomorrow, you won’t see them again this season. If you see Williams and Humphries, it probably will be for the last time this season. But the Nets won’t make any announcements about their status until tomorrow.

Hopefully, this will be the last time any of us have to ask about it because getting straight answers from the Nets, especially about Williams and his wrist, has been as difficult as it’s been for Avery Johnson to get his players to defend lately.

If it matters, it doesn’t appear Amar’e Stoudemire or Chauncey Billups will play tomorrow for the playoff-bound Knicks. But like the Nets, the Knicks aren’t making any announcements until tomorrow. The Nets lost to the Knicks in February with Stoudemire injured and watching from the sideline.

Maybe the Nets will wait to see what the Knicks do before they decide whether to play their point guard and best rebounder.

We know this: as much as the Nets want this game, they won’t put Williams and Humphries out there if there is a chance for them to do further damage to their injuries.

Williams went to see a hand specialist Wednesday and was supposed to undergo an MRI. The results are expected to be given tomorrow, too.

So there is so much to anticipate before the actual game is played. Once the game starts, though, the Nets are going to want to put all their attention into beating the Knicks and making sure Brook Lopez gets the ball down the stretch and is productive throughout the game.

The Nets also are going to want to drown out whatever chants and boos fill Prudential Center.

The last time these two teams met at The Rock in February – before Williams became a Net and Carmelo Anthony a Knick – the Nets were booed late in the game. Many of the first-time Nets couldn’t believe it.

There could be more boos. There could be chants of “Me-lo.” There could be chants of “Dee-Fense” when the Nets have the ball. For that reason, it’s a big game for the Nets and for the organization.

In this frustrating season that’s been filled with injuries and brutal losses, the Nets could feel good about themselves if they get a victory over the Knicks. They could feel good about giving the actual Nets’ fans in the building something to cheer about in the next to last home game.

Tomorrow’s a big day, all the way around. The Nets will announce the latest on Williams and Humphries and then will see if, with or without them, they can finally beat the Knicks. Then it’s on to the final three games.

***

Follow me on Twitter: @Al_Iannazzone

***

Al Iannazzone covers the Nets for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.)