| (Mostly) no Derrick Rose, no problem for the Bulls |
The Bulls controlled this game in every aspect imaginable from early on as Chicago shot nearly 15 percent better from the field than the Nets did, made six more 3-pointers than the Nets did (and took two less attempts), shot for a higher free-throw percentage than New Jersey, and even took the Nets to town on the fast-break, with 23 points coming on the fast-break as opposed to the Nets' eight. In a way, the demoralizing loss was kind of excusable simply because of how decimated the Nets' line-up was with only nine available players, including Anthony Morrow who has been extremely hot of late. However, the complete lack of effort and awareness most of the Nets showed in this game was inexcusable especially on the defensive end.
Granted, the Bulls are a very good shooting team but they were given wide-open shot attempts from tip-off until the final buzzer. Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng made the most of the open mid-range and long-range shots they were given and scored 24 and 19 points respectively. Reserve point guard C.J. Watson, filling in for Rose, came up just three rebound shy of a triple-double and the game got so noncompetitive at one point that Brian Scalabrine, former Net and perennial fan favorite, hit a completely uncontested 3-pointer to the cheers of the few fans still remaining at the Prudential Center in the 4th quarter.
Regarding the Nets, only two players on the whole team provided consistent and efficient offensive production in the game and those two players would be Deron Williams and Kris Humphries; what a surprise. Deron finally righted his shooting stroke and scored a game-high 25 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and 90 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Hump had to fight really hard for his 10 points and 9 rebounds but, like most nights, there was no doubt that his effort was always there. The same can't really be said for the other Nets that allowed this annihilation to occur.
Some other observations I had from the game: Shawne Williams, after a few ok shooting nights, was awful tonight, going 0-for-6 from the field. Brought over to the Nets as a knockdown shooter, Williams has been a disgrace to good shooters everywhere this season and Avery should really bench him one of these game, when the Nets get healthy of course, in order to get his shot back in order and to improve his dreadful shot selection...Keith Bogans was decent against the team that released him this season but it was obvious that he was trying to do too much, as he picked up four personal fouls in only 20 minutes of playing time. So far, I like the veteran presence and defensive ability that Bogans has brought to this Nets team since being signed. On occasion, he has also shown that he can hit an outside shot or two...I wouldn't be surprised if Shawne Williams lost his temporary starting spot to rookie Jordan Williams soon because J-Will has been a soild interior force for New Jersey in the game which he gets sufficient playing time. Right now, J-Will is doing more to help this team than Shawne is and I feel that the rookie should be rewarded for his solid play with a start, which would be the first of his career...Sign of the Apocalypse: Johan Petro was decent on offense today as he scored eight points and collected eight boards as well. Sign of Normal Times: Petro was awful on defense, as usual, and gave up several open lay-ups in the paint while performing his classic style of matador defense by slapping at opposing players while giving them easy opportunities for traditional 3-point plays.
Looking Ahead
We try to get rid of the bad tastes in our mouths from this one on Wednesday against the Pistons in the first game of a home-and-home series between the Nets and Detroit spread out over three days. The first one is in New Jersey at the Prudential Center.
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