NET NOTES

Jason Collins got more than enough of an introduction to Shaquille O’Neal last June during the Finals. And tonight, he’ll get a upclose reminder of all the fun he had bouncing around and off the NBA’s most destructive force.

“It’s a challenge. He’s the best center in the league. He’s huge. You just have to push him out, keep him away from the basket,” said the second-year Collins, firmly admitting the “easier said than done” aspect of his assessment.

Byron Scott was disturbed about how the Pistons and then the Knicks beat up the Nets inside (and outrebounded them by a combined 86-76). Those games were a reminder of how much the Nets miss Dikembe Mutombo.

Scott wants Collins to be physical and to rebound against Shaq. And he had some advice for Collins, slimmed down from last year: “Get in the weight room.”

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Jason Kidd asked for his top memory of the Finals Game 4: “Nothing really because it’s been so long. Game 4, Game 1, they’re all the same.”