Jazz (95) @ Nets (103)

In the old Soviet Union, there was a grand tradition of political photo manipulation. Communist party officials who had fallen into disgrace --or worse-- suddenly disappeared from group shots, replaced by either new, favored members of the hierarchy or just a hole. The tradition continues.

The New Jersey Nets take out the Utah Jazz. A recap.

In the wake of Mikhail Prokhorov's announcement that they were pulling out of trade talks with the Denver Nuggets, the Nets went out and had one of their best games of the season, holding off a Jazz comeback to come away with a 103-95 win at the Prudential Center on Wednesday night.

Preview as the Jazz take on the Nets

Mikhail Prokhorov is fond of saying that the Nets have plans B, C, D, etc. Plan A was getting two free agents to join the Nets last summer. Plan B is the current attempt to acquire Carmelo Anthony. What's Plan C, D, etc.? A number of reporters think they know.

Fred Kerber confirms with "several league sources" that the Nuggets have indeed granted the Nets permission to speak with Carmelo Anthony about joining the Nets, but no timetable has been set for a meeting Kerber again reports that the underlying deal, which could involve 16 players, is not yet done, the issue being draft picks.

What can we look forward to as the Jazz head into the second half of the season? Who is the first-half MVP for the Jazz?

Mitch Lawrence reports exclusively Wednesday that the Nets have permission to talk with Carmelo Anthony, even though the Nuggets remain reluctant to give up their franchise player. In yet another plot twist in the 'Melo Drama, Lawrence writes that Mikhail Prokhorov will discuss a possible meeting when he speaks to the media at 5:30.