The Nets displayed their throwback blue New York Nets uniforms against the Chicago Bulls Monday night at the Prudential Center, but the basketball performance resembled the modern-day Nets.
The Bulls showed the Nets why they lead the league in wins, embarrassing the Nets to the tune of 108-87.
The game was never close as the Bulls knocked down their first nine shots of the game and led by 25 points in the second quarter. The Bulls ultimately went up by 32 points in a game that was not as close as the final score indicated.
“It’s deflating getting down by 30 points at any point and not putting up much of a fight,” Deron Williams said.
The loudest cheer of the night came when former Net Brian Scalabrine entered the game with 2:06 left in the fourth quarter. The Newark crowd predominantly came out to support the Bulls, something Williams is not accustomed to.
“I’m not used to this,” Williams said regarding the road atmosphere at home. “That didn’t happen in Utah. It’s just different. We’re not giving (the fans) much to cheer for so they’ll cheer for somebody.”
Reigning MVP Derrick Rose was hardly a factor either, as he picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter and left the game in the third quarter due to an injured back. Rose played 10:40 in the game.
The Nets, already missing Brook Lopez and MarShon Brooks, were forced to play without Anthony Morrow. He left the team for his grandmother’s funeral.
Without Morrow and any inside presence to speak of, the Nets could barely get a shot off against the Bulls much less make a game of it.
Blame the first quarter, where the Nets trailed by as many as 23 points.
“Because we don’t have much margin for error, we can’t start off games the way we did tonight,” Avery Johnson said. “The first quarter has been a sore thumb for us and we have to do a better job in the first quarter.”
Rookie power forward Jordan Williams converted a layup on the first play of the fourth quarter to cut the Bulls’ lead to 17 at 83-66.
The Nets never threatened, however, and Tom Thibodeau was able to use his stars sparingly.
Boozer scored 24 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out five assists in 27:22.
Joakim Noah had the biggest impact on the game, though, despite shooting 1-of-5 from the field. Noah only scored nine points, but he grabbed 12 rebounds and served as the playmaker in Rose’s absence, handing out five assists.
Noah also clogged the middle and made life difficult for the Nets’ big men. Deron Williams carried the Nets’ offense with 25 points.
In the first half, the Bulls ran all over the Nets, building a 62-37 halftime lead.
Even with Rose playing just 2:56 in the first quarter due to foul trouble, the Nets could not stop what was coming.
The Bulls quickly jumped out to a 20-6 lead and subsequently knocked down 13-of-17 from the field in the first quarter. Johan Petro beat the buzzer to end the first quarter, but that jumper cut the Bulls lead to 35-14.
Luol Deng finished the first quarter with 13 points, one shy of the entire Nets’ total. Their offense did not miss a beat with C.J. Watson running the point.
Johnson needed two timeouts 5:16 into the game to try and stifle the Bulls’ momentum.
“The mindset is come out and try and throw a knockout punch in the first quarter and kind of set the tone,” Johnson said. “That’s what they did tonight.”
The Bulls shot 64.7 percent from the field in the first half.
Comedian courtside
Comedian Jim Breur sat courtside for the game and was treated to a different kind of comedy show.
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