Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets: Game Preview, Prediction
By Taylor Sturm
@TSturmRS
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bulls sit at 10-6 and are in prime position to ride their early season success to a favorable seed in the NBA Playoffs. Former star point guard Derrick Rose has been in and out of the lineup with injuries, but the team has fared pretty well even in his absence. Rose is listed as probable for their next game against the Brooklyn Nets.
The Nets sit at 6-8 and are clearly in the early hunt for an NBA Playoff spot; Brooklyn is absolutely horrible away from home. The Nets have won just three of eight road games, however, Brooklyn gets the Bulls at home, which means that the Nets should compete a lot harder than many expect.
The matchups in this game have less to do with one player against another, and more to do with which players can finish plays. Chicago’s Jimmy Butler is the least talked about budding star in the NBA, with more than 21 points per game, and Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson is averaging nearly 17 points per game. Whichever of these key players can get into the 20 points range will lead their team to victory.
Expect huge games from Butler and Johnson, but this game to come down to the play of Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah. If they can dominate the boards, then it will be very hard for Brooklyn to pull out a victory without going 70 or more percent from beyond the arc. Expect Chicago to pull out the win and move to 11-6.
Prediction: Bulls 97, Brooklyn 89
Taylor Sturm is a Featured Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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