Bulls-Nets Preview

New Jersey Status Check:
Record: 8-23
Division: 2-3
Conference: 6-16
Road Record: 5-12
Last 10 Games: 1-9
Streak: Lost 8
Last game: 93-88 loss to Indiana
PPG: 92.4 (24^th)
Opponents PPG: 99.9 (25^th)
Offensive Rating: 104.0 (12^th)
Defensive Rating: 112.4 (30^th)
Pace: 88.6 (27^th)
Effective Field Goal Percentage: .481 (16^th)
Turnover Percentage: .152 (27^th)
Defensive Rebound Percentage: .695 (25^th)
Offensive Rebound Percentage: .291 (5^th)
Free Throws Per Field Goal Attempt: .212 (11^th)
Opp. eFG%: .531 (30^th)
Opp. TO%:  .138 (20^th)
Opp. FT/FGA: .224 (20^th)
Leading scorer: Deron Williams (21.3)

Stats from Basketball-Reference

Nets Injury Report:
Brook Lopez: questionable (right foot surgery)
Shawne Williams: out indefinitely
Damion James: out for the season
Mehmet Okur: out indefinitely

Overview:
In what seems like the twentieth time this year, the Bulls and Nets will play each other tonight. In reality, today is the third match-up between these two teams.

Chicago took both of the previous games easily, winning by 15 and 21. In the 21 point victory, on February 6, Derrick Rose played just eleven minutes. This game was the beginning of his back spasms, which continue to keep Rose out of the line-up. Rose played 22 minutes in the next game against New Orleans, but hasn’t played since. He will be a game-time decision again today.

Just like earlier in the season, guys have been picking up the slack in the absence of others. Luol Deng recorded a double-double against Boston (23 points, ten assists), Joakim Noah had a poor shooting game, but was great on the glass (15 points, 5-15 shooting, 16 rebounds). Noah had more offensive rebounds (8) than the entire Celtics team (6).

And Carlos Boozer played very well, scoring 23 points on 11-15 shooting while adding 15 rebounds of his own. Take that, people who think he only plays well against bad opponents (I’m often of this mindset, but it’s good that Boozer showed up when needed. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come. I’m not very optimistic though).

The Nets have been struggling all season, but it’s gotten worse as of late. They are currently on an eight game losing streak. New Jersey hasn’t won since February 1^st, when they beat Detroit by three (The Nets then lost to Detroit twice during their current losing skid).

New Jersey blew a double digit lead to the Pacers, before falling by five in their most recent game. Kris Humphries played well, scoring       24 points and adding ten rebounds (insert your favorite Kardashian joke here). Deron Williams scored 29 points but had six turnovers.

Noah is averaging 12.5 points and eleven rebounds in the two games against New Jersey. Boozer is averaging 19.0 points and 7.5 rebounds.

For New Jersey, Deron Williams is averaging 20.5 points and 7.5 assists.

The Bulls will play Marshon Brooks for the first time. The rookie is averaging 13.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season. After a hot start to his pro career, he is averaging 10.0 points on 35.7 shooting over his last four games.

Mamba notes: Brian Scalabrine has played 25 minutes against the Nets in two games. He has played 94 total minutes this season. That means 26.6 percent of Scal’s minutes have come against the Nets. I’m just saying.

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