Final
East-leading Bulls host Nets in final tune-up before playoffs
Apr 13, 2011 - 3:06 PM (Sports Network) - The Eastern Conference's top team, the Chicago Bulls, look to open the playoffs on a hot note as they shoot for a ninth straight win tonight versus the New Jersey Nets in the regular season finale from the United Center.The Bulls have ripped off a season high-tying eight wins in a row and can finish with the NBA's best record with a victory over the Nets, coupled by a San Antonio loss in Phoenix. The Spurs are also 61-20 on the season and represent the West's top-seeded team.
Chicago is coming off last night's 103-90 victory in New York behind 26 points from MVP candidate Derrick Rose. Luol Deng had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Carlos Boozer added 14 points and 22 rebounds, and Joakim Noah registered 13 points for the Bulls, who will play Indiana in the first round of the playoffs and is the East's top team since the 1997-98 campaign, when the Michael Jordan-led Bulls won their third straight and sixth NBA title in eight years.
"It's not done yet," Rose said. "We still have one game left. We still have to stay focused and not look ahead of ourselves."
The Central champion Bulls are 20-2 in their past 22 games. They went 26-15 on the road and won their final seven games as the guest. Chicago has won three straight at the United Center and is an impressive 35-5 in the Windy City. In injury news for the Bulls, Noah left last night's game with a balky right ankle and is questionable tonight.
New Jersey is out of the playoffs for a fourth straight year and has lost four in a row and 14 of 16 games, including Monday's 105-103 loss to Charlotte on D.J. Augustin's fadeaway jumper with 1.1 seconds to go in the game.
Brook Lopez led all scorers with 31 points, while Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic added 20 and 19 points, respectively, for the Nets.
"I want to continue to grow and be someone the team can rely on down the stretch," Lopez said.
The Nets hope to put the brakes on a six-game road losing streak and are only 5-35 as the guest this season.
Chicago has won two of three matchups with New Jersey this season and 10 of the previous 15 encounters in the Second City.
- NEW JERSEY: 92
CHICAGO: 97
Final
Apr 13 10:35 PM - NEW JERSEY: 68
CHICAGO: 68
End of 3rd
Apr 13 9:50 PM - NEW JERSEY: 43
CHICAGO: 50
Halftime
Apr 13 9:08 PM - NEW JERSEY: 20
CHICAGO: 26
End of 1st
Apr 13 8:38 PM - NEW JERSEY: 0
CHICAGO: 2
1st Quarter - 11:21
Apr 13 8:13 PM
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