The Nets are more than a quarter of the way through their charade of a season.

In the first six weeks, they have battled several members of their tanking brethren, who choose to pray for a draft lottery ping-pong ball rather than attempt to win their scheduled games.

The Nets have faced off with the Wizards (3-18) and Pacers (4-18) as well as split a pair of meetings with the rebuilding Hornets (6-16).

Most recently, the Nets suffered a 13-point home loss to the Jazz (8-13) on Thursday.

In every game this season, the Nets (5-17) have been underdogs — until now.

The grand tanking plan faces perhaps its greatest hurdle in Saturday’s lowly anticipated matchup against the Pelicans (3-20) at Barclays Center.

“I think our guys really care,” Nets coach Jordi Fernández said following the l

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