|
 That hasn't always been the case this season. Just the day before,
the Nets had lost at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves after
scoring only 16 points in the opening quarter.
The Nets opened Monday's game against the Chicago Bulls with a
greater effort, and it paid off in a 105-102 victory at the United
Center. The Nets snapped a five-game losing streak and notched their
second road win of the season.
"I thought that we came out right from the start with a lot of fight
and a lot of purpose," said Nets coach Lionel Hollins, whose team
improved to 8-20 on the season. "We took the fight to them.
"We were very focused tonight for the whole game, and that was good
to see. I thought we would come back and play much better. I
couldn't guarantee a win, but I thought we would come back and play.
I'm just happy and proud of these guys."
The Nets had been on an eight-game road losing streak. They improved
to 2-12 on the road for the season. Their only other road win came
against the Houston Rockets on Nov. 11.
The Nets took control in the third quarter. With the game tied at
60, the Nets went on 21-9 run, which was capped by a 3-pointer by
guard Bojan Bogdanovic with 4:38 remaining. The Bulls shot 10 of 28
in the third quarter. The Nets never relinquished their lead again.
The Bulls (15-11) pulled within 101-99 with two free throws by
center Pau Gasol with 20.9 seconds remaining. Nets guard Jarrett
Jack and center Brook Lopez sank four free throws in the final 10.6
seconds to secure the win.
The Bulls were hoping for a better effort themselves Monday
following losses to the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
Instead, they dropped their third consecutive game, matching their
longest losing streak of the season. They also fell to 11-5 at home
with their second straight loss at the United Center.
"It's very disappointing that we couldn't come out," Bulls coach
Fred Hoiberg said. "This is a tough loss. You got to win your home
games. We've dropped a couple in a row now. It's a bad, bad loss."
Forward Thaddeus Young and Lopez were effective inside for the Nets.
Lopez scored 14 his team-high 21 points in the second half. He also
had 12 rebounds and three blocks. Young had 16 points and a
game-high 13 rebounds. The two players also combined for nine of the
Nets' 15 offensive rebounds, and Brooklyn outscored the Bulls 16-11
on second-chance points.
"It's huge," Lopez said of the second-chance points. "It's something
we really haven't been getting this year. It starts with me
obviously. Like I said, it was great to have such high energy from
virtually everyone on the team."
[to top of second column] |
Gasol felt the Bulls didn't match at times what the Nets were
bringing on the court.
"I think we were missing a lot of parts of the game tonight," Gasol
said. "A sense of urgency. We cruise for most of the game. Then when
we have our back against the wall, we turn it up and try to give
ourselves a chance. But sometimes it's just too late. It's something
we need to address and need to correct and improve upon. We just
need change."
Bulls guard Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 24 points on 11 of 20
shooting. Gasol added 20 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
Chicago also got contributions from forward Taj Gibson (10 points,
nine rebounds) and forward Doug McDermott (11 points).
Nets guard Wayne Ellington (13 points), forward Joe Johnson (12),
Bogdanovic (12) and Willie Reed (11) also scored in double figures.
Jack had eight assists.
Bulls center Joakim Noah left the game with a left shoulder sprain
in the final minute of the third quarter and did not return. He had
four points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Hoiberg said Noah
will be re-evaluated Tuesday.
NOTES: Nikola Mirotic replaced Tony Snell at small forward in the
Bulls' starting lineup. Mirotic started previously at power forward
this season, but not at small forward. ... Bulls F/C Pau Gasol
returned to the lineup after he sat out Saturday's game against the
New York Knicks. He rested after the Bulls played four overtimes
against the Detroit Pistons on Friday. ... Nets G Shane Larkin
missed his fourth consecutive game with a concussion. He hasn't
played since Dec. 14. ... The Nets were also without F Rondae
Hollis-Jefferson (fractured right ankle) and F Chris McCullough
(right knee rehab).
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
