Chicago Bulls Become First Road Team To Win In 2013 Playoffs, Even Series Against Brooklyn Nets.
The NBA Playoffs have now officially began with the Chicago Bulls defeating the Brooklyn Nets in a road game, to even their first round series. The Bulls, who have been dealing with injuries (Joakim Noah’s plantar fasciitis in his right foot and Kirk Hinrich’s injured hip) didn’t let their game 1 blowout discourage them tonight.
Monday night, we were back in Brooklyn with Jay-Z court-side, cheering on his former team with hopes of the Nets taking a commanding 2-0 series lead before heading to Chicago. The Bulls however, came out the gate showcasing their signature defense, getting in the face of Nets starters and letting them know a game 1 repeat wouldn’t happen on their watch. The game opened with Luol Deng leading the way, scoring 7 of the Bulls 20 points in the first quarter, setting the defensive tone against the Nets starting 5.
An intrigued Joakim Noah would anchor the Bulls inside defense the paint, holding the Nets to only 30 total points in the restricted area for the game, limiting Brook Lopez from having another dominant game.
IT’S THE ROC YOU BASTARDS!
With help from Carlos Boozer and Loul Deng, chipping in double double’s with the hobbled Noah, the 3-man front court limited the inside driving of Deron Williams —who finished with a horrendous stat-line of 1-9 shooting— scoring only 8 points. Joe Johnson finished second in scoring for the boys in Black, adding 17 but took 18 shots in the process.
Kentucky legend, Nazr Mohammed had key contributions to the Bulls, scoring 8-points and shooting 4-5 in his 18 minutes of limited play, to give Noah help. The question still remains heading into game 3 at the United Center this Thursday on NBA TV, whether D-Rose will be suiting up now that the Bulls are looking like a team that can give the Miami Heat legitimate problems in the 2nd round (pending an advancement).
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