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Lopez, Nets rout Bulls

Dec 31, 2014 - 3:34 AM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Brooklyn Nets shut down the NBA's hottest team on Tuesday night.

They're not playing too bad themselves.

Brook Lopez had 29 points and the Nets routed the Chicago Bulls 96-82 to snap their seven-game winning streak.

Brooklyn outscored the Bulls 31-14 in the second quarter and never relinquished the advantage in the second half, leading by as many as 23 in the fourth.

The Nets had dropped 12 of their last 14 games at the United Center coming in.

Joe Johnson posted 20 points and 11 rebounds for Brooklyn, which has won five of its last six games on the heels of a three-game losing streak.

Joakim Noah tallied 12 points and 12 boards, while Mike Dunleavy netted 23 points for the Bulls. Derrick Rose had just four points on 2-of-15 shooting in defeat.

Brooklyn trailed 31-24 following a quarter of play, but began the second on an extended 20-4 run to seize control. Johnson had nine points during the surge, which was capped on consecutive baskets by Lopez for a 44-35 Nets advantage with 4:15 to go in the second.

Brooklyn led 55-45 at the break and Chicago never cut the deficit below four in the second half.

After Noah's layup trimmed the gap to 65-60 midway through the third, a 10-2 Nets swing helped them re-establish control. Jarrett Jack knocked down a 3- pointer to conclude the burst and stake Brooklyn to a 75-62 cushion.

The Nets took an 84-69 margin into the fourth.

Game Notes

Chicago was seeking its first eight-game winning streak since Feb. 20-March 7, 2012 ... The Bulls blew out the Nets 105-80 at the United Center on Dec. 10 ... Brooklyn was 6-of-14 from beyond the arc and made 18-of-21 free throws ... Chicago shot just 38.4 percent (33-of-86) from the floor.