Nets seal commanding win over Bulls in series opener.
The Brooklyn Nets never trailed in what was their first play-off basketball game, as they defeated the Chicago Bulls 106-89 at the Barclays Center on Saturday night.
Deron Williams (22 points and seven assists) and Brook Lopez (21 points, five rebounds and three blocks) dominated the game, as the Bulls failed to come up with the defensive answers inside the paint.
However, contributions came from all over the court for Brooklyn, with Gerald Wallace and Reggie Evans troubling the Bulls with their aggressive play.
Carlos Boozer led the way for Chicago with 25 points and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t nearly enough for the visitors who now trail 1-0 ahead of Game 2 on Monday.
Joakim Noah was a game-time decision, and was deemed fit enough to take to the court. However he lasted just over 13 minutes, while Nate Robinson had a solid night off the bench with 17 points going 8-for-12 from the field.
Coach Tom Thibodeau revealed before the game that the door is still open for Derrick Rose to return in the post season, and given Saturday night’s performance he will be hoping to receive a boost somewhere down the line.
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