NBA Special: Chicago Bulls take down the visiting New Jersey Nets on New Year's Eve
The ball was protected at every moment. Extraordinary shots were played. Finally, the Chicago Bulls take down the visiting New Jersey Nets 90-81 in a New Year's Eve affair at the United Center.
Carlos Boozer stayed hot as he scored 20 points and had 15 rebounds to lead all players in both categories. Luol Deng ended the game with 19 points and eight boards. He was one of the few Bulls who had a solid night offensively. Derrick Rose had a nice night
with 19 points and nine assists for Chicago. Ronnie Brewer struggled to find his groove, scoring 10 points in Chicago’s 21st win of the season.
The Nets, meanwhile, were led by Brook Lopez who scored 19 points on 8-for-16 shooting and grabbed 8 rebounds. Travis Outlaw and Stephen Graham came off the bench to have a productive game as each ended with 16 for the Nets. Devin Harris ended with 10 points
and 9 assists.
"Brave effort by our team tonight," "Defensively we played much better. The game was physical. We really played hard against Boozer and those guys inside," Nets coach Avery Johnson said.
Game Story
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau cannot be very happy with the way his team played. Yes, they won, but they looked lethargic throughout most of the night. The Nets, who played without Anthony Morrow, clawed their way back and kept it close until the final
minutes. The Bulls are still not the 48-minute team Thibodeau wants them to be. They have to do a better job of shutting down teams when they get the chance to put them away. They also have to do a better job of making free throws. They were just 30-for-76
(39.5 percent) on the night from the line. If they do that against an elite team, they will be in trouble.
On the defensive end of the floor though, the Nets definitely put the screws to the Bulls and made them work for their shots. Obviously, they were able to pull out the victory, though their point value was only inflated by the late fouls as the New Jersey
tried to get back into the game. The Nets were able to get stops on the Bulls time and time again, as they kept the game close, but were unable to pull it out in the end. The Nets were able to beat Chicago on the boards, and that is not easy when you consider
the size the Bulls bring into the game.
Deng leads all scorers with nine points in the opening stanza to help the host team to slowly build their lead, taking a 23-21 lead into the second. The Bulls did not play well offensively in the first quarter, but once again, they found a way.
Both teams began the second quarter at a crisp pace, using 23 possessions apiece in the second. With just one minute to go, Brewers' three- pointer gave the Bulls a 46-44 edge heading into the halftime.
Chicago continued to up their lead throughout the third quarter, capped by Deng's two free throws late in the third gave his team a 70-63 lead heading into the final stanza.
With just seven minutes to go in the final buzzer, Derrick Favors’ tip-in dragged the Nets to just two-point difference, 75-75. However, Boozer’s is three-pointer and two free throws by Rose make it seven-point game for Bulls with five minutes remaining.
Thomas two free throws put the game out of the reach of New Jersey.
"Our defence picked up," "We got stops in the last 5-6 minutes of the game. We did a good job executing on their zone defence." - - Carlos Boozer
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