15 Years Later, The Bulls Regain The Flu. Game 7 | Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets | 8pm ET on ESPN
The final game for the NBA’s 2013 first round ends in proper fashion with the Brooklyn Nets looking to advance against the injury-riddled Chicago Bulls. This will be Brooklyn’s biggest game ever for its franchise, as they will look to end the series tonight just one week after being down 3-1 when Nate Robinson had a career playoff game. Like the picture above featuring the GOAT’s “Flu Game,” the Chicago Bulls have been dealing with injuries and most recently a virus that has spread throughout the team.
Nate Robinson and Taj Gibson played through the illness in game 6 sick and were seen on the bench during the game vomiting. Luol Deng couldn’t had to be placed in the ER from the oral viral infection and felt the weakest in his life he said. Deng will not be suited for action tonight along with Kirk Hinrich (game-time decision) expected to also be out with an injured calf he’s been dealing with. Joakim Noah, who’s never one to make excuses guaranteed a victory tonight for game 7 following their game 6 loss.
Watch a video preview for game 7 along with more of the game build-up after the jump.
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Brooklyn’s one victory away from equaling the largest comeback in the history of the NBA, as they return tonight for the finale at Barclays Center. Whether the victory will be respectable, their inaugural year in the borough can be a success with a win tonight advancing to the second round to play the 2012 champion Miami Heat.
Their cross-town rival, the New York Knicks are home tomorrow to host the Pacers in game 1 of their series, which is a good time for our good people up there in NYC to enjoy some good playoff hoops in more than one borough. The one constant the team has is consistent defense, which they should highly be focused on tonight in their potential last game of the year.
Without their defense, we’re not exactly sure what the Bulls offensive game-plan for tonight will be, with the exception of Carlos Boozer having to dominate inside the paint and pull up for a casual mid-range. Chicago’s role-players Jimmy Butler and Marco Belinelli will see heavy playing time today along with a rare Vladimir Radmanovic sighting if the Noah and/or Gibson can’t make it through the game.
Only the Nets can blow an opportunity like the one they have tonight, at home; which we’re not picking a clear cut winner due to their inconsistency. The Brook Lopez vs. Miami Heat storyline seems intriguing at least to watch for a few games next series; but he will have to be the catalyst tonight to provide his consistent 23 points and 7 boards a game (higher than his regular season average). If the Nets lose tonight, we really can’t blame any rappers becoming sports agents this year after this collapse.
Win or GO HOME!