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Nets hang on, beat Bulls 122-117
By InsideHoops.comJanuary 30, 2019
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Behind 30 points from guard D'Angelo Russell and big contributions from their bench, the Brooklyn Nets beat a struggling Chicago Bulls team Tuesday, 122-117.Russell shot 10 for 22, but also hit 8 of 10 free throws, along with seven assists, three steals and not a single turnover. But while other Nets starters struggled -- especially at forward -- the home squad's bench came up big: guard Shabazz Napier had 24 points, four assists and three steals in 25 minutes, forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson shot 7 of 10 for 18 points in 21 minutes, and DeMarre Carroll scored 11.
Other than Russell, the only other Nets starter to score in double figures was Joe Harris (17 points).
The Bulls led by guard Zach LaVine with 26 points, plus five assists. Jabari Parker did big things in under 23 minutes off the bench, shooting 10 of 15 for 22 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals. And the other Bulls standout of the evening, starting forward Lauri Markkanen, was rebound-hungry all night, scoring 18 points and grabbing 19 boards.
The Nets have now won nine straight and 13 of their last 14 games at home.
"This is why I wanted to here," said Nets shooting guard Joe Harris after the game. "You could feel something good was around the corner. You could see everyone improving. Even now, we're shorthanded and we're still able to close out games and play basketball the right way."
And with this win, their 28th of the season, the Nets have matched their win total of all of last season. "I think it's a good accomplishment," said Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson. "We obviously want more."
The Bulls made a game of it. "I thought we battled," said Chicago head coach Jim Boylen.
They did. But the Nets continue to play winning basketball.
The Nets are now 28-24, sixth best in the East standings. The Bulls are now 11-40, placing them 13th in the East.
Inside Hoops NBA game recap of Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls game from Tuesday, January 29, 2019