Nets' Johnson confident he'll return Friday vs. 76ers

It sounds like the Brooklyn Nets will have swingman Joe Johnson back for Friday's clash against the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Johnson, who has been sidelined for the Nets' last two games with an illness, said he's definitely playing versus the NBA-worst 76ers, according to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. 

The Nets lost both games without Johnson, a pair of blowouts to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. Brooklyn is on a three-game losing skid after getting crushed by the Atlanta Hawks before Monday's game against the Cavaliers. 

Despite the team's struggles, highlighted by the trio of lopsided losses versus three of the Eastern Conference's top teams, Brooklyn has the No. 8 seed in the East. A date with the 2-19 76ers appears to be the prime recipe to get the team back on track. 

Johnson, whom the Nets are apparently shopping along with Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, is averaging 15.7 points, five rebounds and 3.8 assists in 18 games.