People who will lose their homes through eminent domain to the $4 billion Nets arena tried to revive their case in court Tuesday.

Lawyers for Brooklyn families told an appeals court in Manhattan that developer Bruce Ratner got a sweetheart deal for the Atlantic Yards project. Plaintiffs argued property is being seized through eminent domain, which is only allowed if a project will benefit the public.

"It doesn't mean I can go in and play basketball when I want to," defense attorney Matthew Brinckerhoff said. "It's not like a park that's open to play basketball."

However, attorneys for developer Forest City Ratner said the project will benefit the public by pumping money into the local economy.

A decision on whether the lawsuit can proceed could takes months.

Related information: