TORONTO – For all of you suffering Nets’ fans, keep telling yourselves there are only two games remaining.

A season that opened with anticipation – a new owner, home arena, coach, general manager and essentially a new roster – and started with some promise as the Nets won their first two games, is ending miserably.

The Nets have doubled their win total from last season, but they lost for the 13th time in 15 games, dropping a 99-92 decision to Toronto in a battle of attrition Sunday.

When the game started, the Nets had 10 healthy bodies, but lost backup point guard Ben Uzoh in the fourth period with a bruised right knee and then newly signed guard Mario West to a separated shoulder. The Nets already are without point guards Deron Williams and Sundiata Gaines.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Through all the losses, through all the rumors, through all the injuries and trades, there has been one constant for the Nets: Avery Johnson.

In his first year as head coach, Johnson has been what the Nets have needed: a leader, a voice and someone who holds everyone accountable.

Johnson was the spokesperson during all the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors and the one keeping his team focused on the games and playing as hard as possible. It wasn’t always easy with guys drifting, looking over their shoulders, wondering whether they would soon be on an airplane to Denver or some other NBA city. But Johnson never stopped doing his job, never stopped trying to remain positive and keep his players committed.

If you want to nitpick, you can question some

After all that has happened with murals and billboards, television commercials and pointed comments, it is fitting that it comes down to the Nets and the Knicks for Carmelo Anthony.

As I heard Evan Roberts say on WFAN this morning, it’s Jay-Z and JD (James Dolan). It’s more than that, though.

It’s Mikhail Prokhorov, Jay-Z, Billy King and Brett Yormark versus Dolan. (Advantage Nets)

It’s Newark/Brooklyn versus New York City (Advantage Knicks)

It’s Brook Lopez versus Amar’e Stoudemire (Advantage Knicks)

It’s a more controlled offense and a commitment to defense versus a free-wheeling, fast-paced, score-at-will offense and defend every few possessions. (Advantage Knicks)

When you lay it out like that, it seems the Knicks will win the Anthony

Carmelo Anthony came, saw placards of what the new arena in Brooklyn will look like, and the Nets conquered.

This was easily their most significant win of the season and how they beat Anthony and the Nuggets, 115-99 last night at the Rock, made it even more significant.

Brook Lopez, the only untouchable, had a strong game with 27 points. But it was everyone else, many of them involved or affected by the Anthony talks, that showed tremendous pride and desire and put forth some of the better efforts of the season.

It started with Devin Harris. The Nets’ captain was nearly traded to Denver twice and it definitely had an impact on him. After Mikhail Prokhorov said the Nets were out of trade talks for Anthony and cancelled a meeting with the Nuggets star, Harris’ game and focus

NEW YORK -- The Nets began Tuesday worrying about how they would defend the Knicks. They ended the day worrying about Devin Harris. 

The first irony is that the Nets point guard was injured trying to defend the Knicks in transition. The other irony is the Nets played no defense against Amar'e Stoudemire and the Knicks in their 111-100 loss, but it was the least of their concerns.

Harris suffered a knee injury when teammate Kris Humphries fell on top of him in the third quarter. The extent of the injury won’t be known until today when Harris has an MRI.

To say the Nets are praying for good news would be an understatement. As it stands, Jordan Farmar would be their starter and Ben Uzoh their backup point guard. That’s the lineup you can expect tonight when the Nets