The Nets are surging again, riding another sort of double-digit win streak. Their confidence is climbing.
And here come the San Antonio Spurs.

The last time the Nets saw Tim Duncan and the Spurs, they had their 10-game winning streak snapped in San Antonio. Now, the Nets prepare to keep their 12-game home winning streak alive against the defending world champions tonight.

"It is huge," said Richard Jefferson. "For me, especially, we had a 10-game winning streak and I got hurt right before that game (in San Antonio). I wasn’t able to play. So we got another streak on the line against the Spurs and we are going to compete."

Duncan missed the Spurs’ 125-118 overtime victory in Toronto on Wednesday with flu-like symptoms. Still, the Nets (26-21) expect to see Duncan.

At least this time, the Spurs will have to deal with Jefferson. Jefferson has missed the last three meetings due to injury. Last season, he was rehabbing his surgically repaired wrist. Last month, he suffered back spasms against Toronto and was forced to watch the Spurs defeat the Nets, 96-91, from the visiting locker room on television.

The Nets are eager to test themselves at full strength against the Spurs after defeating the likes of Detroit, Miami, Cleveland and the L.A. Clippers during this home streak.

"It definitely helps, being on the streak we’re on, and the way we’re playing," said Vince Carter, who scored 43 points at the Meadowlands against the Spurs last season before being ejected in the fourth quarter after a scuffle with Bruce Bowen. "You need to play a perfect game to beat these guys."