NET NOTES

With Cliff Robinson out indefinitely following arthroscopic knee surgery, and the Nets’ interior defense hurting, too, the team can use all the good news it can get on the injury front. And it appears Eddie House is on the verge of returning, with Josh Boone likely right behind him.

House (torn meniscus in left knee) did more rehab work yesterday, had a second workout last night – cutting, shooting – and the team hopes he can return to full practice Friday. He would add 3-point shooting to a club ranked 21st in that category before last night’s loss to the Bobcats.

“He had a little swelling, a little irritation. He wasn’t able to do much [Sunday].

We’ll see where he’s at and go forward,” said coach Lawrence Frank. “He’ll go through a practice and get some more 3-on-3 work in.

We’ll just have to work and try to simulate it as much as we can.

“There’s a chance. Hopefully.

That’s what we’re hoping for.” Even more important might be the eventual return of Boone from left shoulder rehab. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound rookie was expected to dress for just his second game of the year last night, and could provide some much-needed inside presence.

“He couldn’t do much [Sunday], so we kind of pulled back,” Frank said.

“We’ll wait and see what the doctor says. I don’t know what his timetable is.” The Nets will be eagerly anticipating his arrival, if only to see what they have.

Amare Stoudemire (25 points, 10 rebounds) and Kwame Brown (13 points, 9 rebounds, 5-for-6 shooting) roughed them up, but they may hold off making any moves to see how much Boone can contribute.

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Richard Jefferson had a season-high 27 points in the Nets’ 96-92 loss last night to Charlotte.

Jefferson hit 8-of-16 from the floor and 12-of-14 from the foul line. It was an encouraging sight after seeing him average just 11.3 ppg and muster a total of 10 foul shots in the winless road trip.

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Frank was non-committal about getting more playing time for rookie guard Hassan Adams, who was a DNP on the first two games of the trip, then had eight points and four boards – 4-for-4 from the floor – at Phoenix, and hit his only shot in four minutes against the Lakers.

“He’s definitely a high energy guy. He impacts the game,” Frank said. “You don’t rule anyone out, but it’s hard to play 10 guys and get minutes. With continued effort, he’s going to put himself in a position where he earns more minutes.”