Chicago Bulls close season with nine-game winning streak, 97-92 vs New Jersey Nets
The red hot Chicago Bulls closed the regular season with a hard-fought 97-92 victory over the New Jersey Nets on April 13, 2011, at the United Center.
The victory stretched the Bulls’ winning streak to nine games.
In addition to that, the Bulls clinched the league's overall best record as they are ahead of the San Antonio Spurs by one game. Therefore, the Bulls would get home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Guard-forward, Kyle Korver, scored a team-high 19 points, while the MVP favourite, Derrick Rose had 15 points and four rebounds in the victory.
Forward, Luol Deng, posted 11 points, six rebounds while Rasual Butler, and centre, Joakim Noah, added 10 points each for Chicago. Noah did not seem bothered at all by the sprained right ankle, as he also grabbed 10 rebounds for the victors.
The Bulls played the game without forward Ronnie Brewer, who is under day-to-day observation because of a sprained left thumb.
However, he is expected to play against the Indiana Pacers in the first rounds of the playoffs on April 16, 2011.
Jordan Farmar had a game-high, 21 points and 12 assists for the Nets, who have lost their fifth straight game.
Brook Lopez added 17 points while centre Johan Petro came off the bench with 13 points and eight rebounds in the defeat.
Guard-forward, Stephen Graham, racked up 11 points, and, Sasha Vujacic registered 10 points for the Nets.
Match Analysis
The Bulls entered the United Center with a chance to finish with the NBA's best record and thrashed the Nets with a combined team effort and defensive play.
The absence of Deron Williams and Kris Humphries played a vital role in the defeat of New Jersey.
Chicago got an impressive play from the bench players, as they outscored the starters 50-47.
The Bulls led 26-20 after the opening 12 minutes and were ahead 50-43 at the intermission.
The Nets came out invigorated in the third quarter, using a 14-8 run to cut the seven-point halftime deficit to one, 57-58, with seven minutes to go in the quarter.
In a tightly contested fourth quarter and tied at 86-86, Korver hit a jump shot to put the Bulls ahead by two with 02:53 on the clock.
Then after an exchange of baskets and down by two, Farmar tied things at 88-all with a pair of free throws with 01:33 to go in the fourth. The Bulls went on a 9-4 run in the last minute of the quarter to seal the victory.
The Bulls closed the season 2010-11 with a record 62-20, heading both of the conferences. In addition, their nine-game winning streak was their best since March 2005.
The 26-year old Noah was excited about the playoff battle. He said, "It's a whole different environment, you are playing for something big. That is what it is all about, something you dream about playing in. Big stage. It does not get much better than that
playing in the NBA playoffs for the Chicago Bulls. It's going to be a lot of fun".
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