Chicago Bulls beat Brooklyn Nets in 1st game
Chicago Bulls beat Brooklyn Nets in 1st game
Zach LaVine scored 20 of his 29 factors within the fourth quarter, main the Chicago Bulls to a 108-99 victory over Brooklyn on Tuesday evening within the Nets’ first recreation after a training change.
The Nets introduced Steve Nash was out earlier in the day, then fell to 2-6 with Jacque Vaughn main them.
Kevin Durant had 32 factors and 9 rebounds for the Nets, however, Kyrie Irving managed solely 4 factors on 2-for-12 capturing. He missed all six 3-point makes an attempt.
Vaughn stopped in need of equating Irving’s struggles to the criticism he’s been coping with since posting a hyperlink to a movie with anti-Semitic content material on his Twitter account final week.
“The message I advised the blokes after, no excuses,” Vaughn stated. “Whether or not it’s back-to-backs, no excuses. Whether or not the change in surroundings at this time, no excuses. That is what we do for a dwelling. We signed up for it.”
Durant discovered on tv that Nash was eliminated after waking up from a day nap. He stated he was not approached by higher administration in regard to the determination.
“It was a curler coaster the previous few years, however the core of the basketball is one thing all of us like to do,” Durant stated. “No matter who’s the coach, regardless of the circumstances, you continue to acquire to return to work, and I loved coming to work with Steve.”
DeMar DeRozan added 20 factors and Ayo Dosunmu had 17 for the Bulls, who outscored the Nets 31-19 within the closing quarter. Goran Dragic, who performed their final season with the Nets, chipped in 15 off the bench because the Bulls snapped a two-game dropping streak.
Royce O’Neale matched his profession excessive with 20 factors and Nic Claxton had 10 factors and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who performed without Ben Simmons for a second straight evening due to a sore left knee.
LaVine had 9 factors on 4-for-11 capturing from the sector earlier than he outscored the Nets within the closing 12 minutes of the sport, going 6 for 10 from the sector.
“The factor that I believed was good for him is that he’s discovering his rhythm,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan stated.
“The one factor I give him plenty of credit score for tonight is he made actually fast, decisive selections. It was catch and shoot. He didn’t hesitate, once they have been there, he took them.”
The Bulls trailed 80-77 at firstly of the fourth quarter earlier than the All-Star guard heated up. The Nets nonetheless led 88-84 earlier than Dosunmu sparked a 7-0 run with a 3-pointer reverse the Bulls bench to take a 91-88 lead.
Irving answered with a layup however LaVine responded with three straight baskets, together with a 3-pointer that made it 99-90 with 5:37 left in regulation and put the game out of attain.
“We’re all aggressive and typically you catch a rhythm,” stated LaVine, who’s managing his left knee after his present process offseason surgical procedure.
“That’s all I’m seeking to do. It’s my fifth recreation again and catches a rhythm. I’m feeling higher every recreation.”
Durant scored 20 factors on 4 for six from the sector and hit 10 free throws to tempo Brooklyn to a 58-52 lead at halftime.
The Nets struggled early and fell behind Chicago 15-7 halfway by way of the primary quarter. However, Durant sparked a 20-10 run with 14 factors of his personal, together with seven straight to place the Nets forward 27-25 on the finish of the interval.
