NETS GAME NIGHT – #Nets @ #Bulls
Brooklyn Nets (34-25) @ Chicago Bulls (33-25)
United Center 8:00
TV: YES – RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM
The Brooklyn Nets are coming off a bad loss last night to the Dallas Mavericks 98-90 where they continued a disturbing trend of not showing up after halftime. The third quarter has been a huge problem for Brooklyn this year and nothing has changed since the All-Star break to correct it. Last night once again, after a taking a one point lead into half, the Nets were outscored 29-14 in a lackluster quarter that did them in.
The Nets made a comeback in the fourth that came up short when they couldn’t make a stop when needed. Turnovers, 19 in all, were too much to overcome against a quality team in Dallas. The Nets have to put a full game together if they want to go to Chicago and beat the Bulls at the United Center.
Deron Williams led the Nets with 24 points but his seven turnovers help give the game away. Joe Johnson made his return after missing three games with a heel injury to score 11 points (5-12) and dish six assists to help Williams. Brook Lopez scored 19 points and grabbed none rebounds in the loss.
[quote_box]”I think we just put ourselves in a bad position. One through 12, we did not have any energy, no energy on the floor, no energy on the bench and that is tough,” Lopez said.[/quote_box]
Joakim Noah led the Bulls against the 76ers, finishing with 23 points, 21 rebounds and a career-high 11 blocks for his third career triple-double to seal a victory 93-82. The Bulls have struggled lately losing eight of their last 13 games prior to the win in Chicago Thursday night. The rest will help the Bulls although they still may be without Taj Gibson and Richard Hamilton due to injuries.
The Bulls have slipped to just a half game behind the Nets for sixth in the East so tonight’s matchup is HUGE for both teams.
[quote_box]”We didn’t execute well, but worse we just didn’t play with any defensive energy and the score went from like 10 to 20 in a very short time,” said interim coach P.J. Carlesimo.[/quote_box]
MATCHUP OF THE GAME: Brook Lopez vs Joakim Noah
Noah is coming off a huge game with his triple double and the same kind of effort will be needed to duplicate that feat against the visiting Nets. Gibson may not play so more of an emphasis on energy and effort from Noah will be key. Lopez is coming off a mediocre game Friday night with 19 points and nine rebounds and made note postgame of the lack of energy and effort by the team. Lopez has to step up and give more effort and demand the ball tonight against the smaller Bulls frontcourt to be a force to get this big game for the Nets. Rebounding will be a key tonight.
STAT FOR TONIGHT: The Bulls will try to beat the Nets for the 12th time in the last 15 home games. The Nets lost the last game in Chicago 83-82 when Deron Williams missed a jumper with time running out.
Nets:
Jerry Stackhouse (personal reasons) is not with the team
Bulls:
