The Nets were hoping to get back to .500 by the All-Star break. Jason's Kidd's balky back may prevent that from happening.

Kidd, an eight-time All-Star guard, will miss the next two games with a strained lower back, Nets president Rod Thorn announced Tuesday.

Unfortunately for the Nets, they will face San Antonio on Tuesday and first-place Toronto on Wednesday. New Jersey had won three straight to pull within 2 1/2 games of Toronto in the Atlantic Division.