The Nets were in a playful mood today. One by one, they lined up to fling shots from halfcourt. If someone made the shot, practice would be canceled.

A few players hit the rim. Then the backup point guard Anthony Johnson stepped up. He was third-to-last, ahead of Jason Kidd and Donny Marshall.

Johnson, still surging with confidence from Thursday night's game, took a running start and launched the ball.

As if the Nets, winners of nine straight playoff games and a victory from advancing to the N.B.A. finals for the second consecutive year, needed another sign of karmic convergence, Johnson's shot banked in.