2013 NBA PLAYOFFS Round 1

Brooklyn Nets (1-2) @ Chicago Bulls (2-1)

United Center 2:00

TV:TNT RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/WBQU 92.7 FM

The Brooklyn Nets are playing in what can be called a – must win game – today in Chicago with their first round playoff series future on the line down two games to one. A loss today would put Brooklyn on the brink of elimination and end an inconsistent but positive year.

The Nets have to come back from the atrocity that was their offense in the last game where they shot a miserable 1-25 in a 13 minute span in Game 2 and a whopping 36 percent for the game. Brooklyn must show some resolve to get back into this series.

If the Nets can address their rotations issue and match the Bulls physicality they might be able to hit some shots and even this series at two games each. Brooklyn must get back to pushing the ball in transition and getting into the paint to put pressure on the Bulls stingy defense.

The Nets have found out first hand that they cannot just run their half court sets against this Bulls defense and must push the pace to create easy scoring opportunities. One player who has struggled creating these chances is Deron Williams. The point guard and leader of the Nets is being keyed on by the Bulls so Joe Johnson and the bench must provide some scoring and hit a few shots for Brooklyn to compete.

[quote_simple]”After Game 1, they’re definitely keying on me,” Williams said. “It’s tough for me as a point guard. I don’t want to go out there and just shoot 20 bad shots. But pretty much every shot I’m going to take is going to be contested (with) two people around me, three people around me. I just have to find ways to be more aggressive and get to the basket, but it’s tough right now.”[/quote_simple]

The news after Game 3 revolved around the continued stagnation of the Nets offense and the need for a change in the rotation or even the starting lineup limiting the minutes of Gerald Wallace and Reggie Evans playing together.

P.J. Carlesimo said that he won’t hesitate to make substitutions if the problems on offense continue.

[quote_simple]”It’s a tough balance because some of the problems that we have are not because those guys (Wallace and Evans) aren’t scoring,” he said. “It’s because other guys aren’t. If we do some of the things that we normally do – if we make some 3s or finish in the paint, then we’re OK. And we can take advantage of other guys’ skill sets and not just say, `To hell with it, we’ve got to put an offensive team out there.’ That can also get you in trouble where all of a sudden we’re not as good defensively. Or, we’re not as good rebounding anymore.”[/quote_simple]

Credit needs to go to the Bulls for stymieing the Nets offense the past two games and winning the desperation battle to for all loose balls. Iff Brooklyn cannot change the momentum quickly this series could be headed back to Brooklyn for a close-out game.

Note: The Brooklyn Nets announced yesterday that GM Billy King has agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the team.

SERIES 2-1 Chicago

4/20 – CHI 89 @ BKN 106

4/22 – CHI 90@ BKN 82

4/25 – BKN 76 @ CHI 79

STAT FOR TONIGHT: Over the last two games, Chicago has allowed a total of 158 points (82 points in Game 2, 76 points in Game 3). During that stretch, the Bulls have held the Nets to 19 or fewer points in four of the eight quarters.

Nets:

None

Bulls:

Derrick Rose (left knee) is OUT

Taj Gibson (left knee) is day-to-day

Kirk Hinrich (left thigh) is day-to-day

Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis – right foot) is day-to-day