Final - 2OT
Bulls seek 3-1 series lead over Nets
Apr 27, 2013 - 2:04 PMVideo
The Bulls prevailed 79-76 on Thursday in the Windy City. In both of Chicago's wins this series, defense has been the key, or, to be fair, poor offense has been the key.
The Nets only shot 35 percent from the field in Monday's Game 2 loss at home. On Thursday, Brooklyn built a 12-point lead in the first quarter, then went ice cold from the field. The Nets missed 15 straight shots and the Bulls moved ahead by eight at the half.
The Bulls' lead ballooned to 17 in the fourth and Brooklyn clawed back, but Chicago held on for the win.
In Game 3, the Nets shot 34.6 percent from the field and the poor shooting better improve quickly.
"The Bulls are playing good defense," said Nets interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo. "They are loading up on our guys who are capable of scoring. We are not shooting a three well at all. Not just the contested ones, but the open ones. And we did a poor job finishing in the paint. You can't win if you are struggling inside like we are struggling inside until the fourth quarter. Most of the stuff inside is because they are playing very good defense. It's been very difficult for us to finish; we have been struggling inside and we can't win if you're not making shots in the paint.
"We're down 2-1 in the series, so we have to win Saturday and take it back to Brooklyn."
The Nets are more than capable of winning on the road. They finished 23-18 on the road, which tied for the second-best road mark in the Eastern Conference.
In Game 3, Brook Lopez led the way for Brooklyn with 22 points. Deron Williams had 18 and Joe Johnson, who was a game-time decision due to plantar fascitis, scored 15 in almost 41 minutes of action.
Williams has shot 6-for-23 in the last two games.
Gerald Wallace has scored seven points combined in the last two games and Reggie Evans, the other starting forward, has totaled four in the two losses. Carlesimo could go to MarShon Brooks more often for offense.
"We've got to look at tape and be ready for that," acknowledged Chicago's Luol Deng. "They could be going small for more scoring. Brooks played more minutes. We'll have to be prepared."
The Bulls were led by Carlos Boozer on Thursday. He scored 22 points and pulled down 16 rebounds. Deng also had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
With the Nets struggling from the field, the Bulls haven't lit up the scoreboard. Chicago shot 39.7 percent from the field in Game 3 and only 20 percent from long range.
But the Bulls are making due with what they have available. Former MVP Derrick Rose is still not playing and Joakim Noah, much like Brooklyn's Johnson, is battling a case of plantar fascitis.
"I can't jump off my right foot," said Noah. "I haven't played in a long time either, so I just keep working on my game as much I can without irritating it. It's complicated. But I'm happy we won and now it's on me to play better."
Game 5 is scheduled for Monday in Brooklyn.
- Cassie I know, I gotta chill over little errors. 2 OT or 3 OT, it will still go down.
Nets 134, Bulls 142 Final - 2OTApr 27 6:17 PM - BROOKLYN: 134
CHICAGO: 142
Final - 2OT
Apr 27 6:09 PM - Cassie 140-134, and he got fouled on the rebound. Amazing.
Nets 134, Bulls 138 3OT - 0:19Apr 27 6:06 PM - Cassie Oop, I was off track. The Bot got it up to 133-128 during the break.
Nets 128, Bulls 133 3OT - 3:19Apr 27 5:54 PM - Cassie 4 OT'S the record for the longest game in the NBA Finals. Is this going to be a Notre Dame vs. Louisville 6 OT classic all over again?
Nets 128, Bulls 133 3OT - 3:19Apr 27 5:52 PM - BROOKLYN: 127
CHICAGO: 127
End of 2OT
Apr 27 5:44 PM - Cassie Here we go!! Either 3 OT, 2-2, or 3-1 in the series. We shall see who prevails.
Nets 127, Bulls 127 2OT - 0:05Apr 27 5:39 PM - Cassie Regardless how it turns out, this game's going down in NBA history.
Nets 123, Bulls 123 2OT - 3:33Apr 27 5:27 PM - Cassie This is craziness!!!!! 2 OT!!! Get ready for an EPIC game!
Nets 121, Bulls 121 End of OTApr 27 5:21 PM - BROOKLYN: 121
CHICAGO: 121
End of OT
Apr 27 5:20 PM - BROOKLYN: 111
CHICAGO: 111
End of Regulation
Apr 27 4:56 PM - 229
roots - BROOKLYN: 84
CHICAGO: 76
End of 3rd
Apr 27 4:08 PM - BROOKLYN: 55
CHICAGO: 58
Halftime
Apr 27 3:21 PM - BROOKLYN: 26
CHICAGO: 25
End of 1st
Apr 27 2:38 PM - BROOKLYN: 2
CHICAGO: 0
1st Quarter - 11:45
Apr 27 2:12 PM
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