NETS GAMENIGHT: #Nets @ #Bulls

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Updated: February 13, 2014

BROOKLYN NETS (24-26) @ CHICAGO BULLS (26-25)

United Center 8:00

TV: TNT– RADIO: WFAN 660/101.9FM

[quote_simple]NETS STARTERS
The starting lineup tonight will be  Deron Williams playing alongside Shaun Livingston in the backcourt with Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce up front and the man in the middle Kevin Garnett.

The Nets are looking to take their modest two-game winning streak into the Windy City to see if they can hang with the defensive Bulls in their last game prior to the NBA All-Star break.

Brooklyn beat Charlotte 105-89 last night and had the game in hand come the fourth quarter so the starters got a chance to rest and be ready to take on their nemesis in Chicago tonight.

This will be a great test for these Nets to go into a hostile environment to play a hot team in Chicago on their turf to try and put some doubt in their heads that they do indeed own them.

[box]Injury News:

Reggie Evans will miss the game due to personal reason.

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BULLS STARTERS

The Bulls starting lineup will be Kirk Hinrich and Jimmy Butler in the backcourt with Michael Dunleavy, Carlos Boozer and  Joakim Noah playing in the frontcourt.

Chicago is looking for their fourth win in five games with the Nets coming to town.

With Boozer recently sidelined with an injury Taj Gibson has played well averaging 22.7 points and 10.3 rebounds while starting the past three games.

Gibson played well in that role in the first meeting with 20 points and eight rebounds so look for more of the same from he and Noah inside.

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Game Notes:

The Nets lost the first meeting of the season, 95-78, at home on Christmas Day.

The Bulls 14-7 mark in 2014 is good for third in the Eastern Conference behind Brooklyn and Indiana.

The loss to Chicago on Christmas and their 78-point output remains a team season low.

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[quote_simple]WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Match the Bulls intensity

The Nets have lost 12 of their last 15 regular-season trips to Chicago so this will be a big game to see if they can change their recent fortunes against the Bulls.

Brooklyn has played well defensively, limiting opponents to 170 points on 38.8 percent shooting in winning its last two games but the Bulls are a different story.

The Nets have had major issues matching Chicago’s intensity and it seems that Noah and the Bulls frontcourt have gotten into the Nets heads with Brooklyn fading in every game they have played in the last two seasons.

They will need a big game from their backcourt with D-Will and Johnson to have a chance to upset the streaking Bulls at home.

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[box]INJURY REPORT

NETS

Brook Lopez  – OUT (ankle)

Reggie Evans – OUT (personal reasons)

BULLS

Tornike Shengelia – OUT (personal reasons)

Derrick Rose – OUT (right knee)

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