Joe Netsfan Game x Game 67 - Bulls 112, Nets 96

The rush of wind from the lack of defense blows Joe away

Bulls 112, Nets 96
Game 67 File
The Nets get pushed around and go dry in the second quarter, leading to a 29 -8 Bulls domination, and though the Nets tried to rally, it was too little, too late as Chicago gets the win. For such a big game, the Nets came up small, and with that drop out of the eighth spot in the playoff race.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 28 - 39
Home Record: 17 - 17
Away Record: 11 - 22
Division Record: 2 - 8
Conf. Record: 20 - 19
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Vince Carter, 22.
• Assists: Vince Carter, 5.
• Rebounds: Sean Williams, 6.
• Steals: Carter and Marcus Williams each had 2.
• Turnovers: Richard Jefferson, 5.
• Blocks: Vince Carter, 2.
• FG Percentage: Stromile Swift, 80.0% (4 - 5).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 45.6%
• FT Percentage: 85.0%
• Rebounds: 37
• Rebound Differential: -9
• Turnovers: 16
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 11
• Bench points: 43
• Bench points Differential:+5
• Steals: 7
• Blocks: 7
• Points in the Paint: 42
• Double-Doubles: 0
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 3
• Nets Fast Break Points: 11
•Devin Harris' FG Percentage: 33.3% (2 - 6)
• Scoring Differential Harris in the game: -8
• Scoring Differential Harris out: -8 (M. Williams. Armstrong)

Nets Media
Bergen Record | Nets
Newark Star-Ledger | Nets
Newsday | Nets
NY Daily News | NBA
NY Post | Nets
NY Times | Pro Basketball
YES Network | Nets

Nets Team Pages
CNNSI.com | Nets
ESPN.com | Nets
FoxSports | Nets
NBA.com | Nets
Sportsline.com | Nets

Bulls Media:
Chicago Sun-Times | Bulls
Chicago Tribune | Bulls

Game 67: Bulls 112, Nets 96 – March 18 , 2008
Long And Winding Road
The Nets long and winding road toward a potential playoff berths has taken some strange turns, especially of late, but perhaps nothing more strange than an 8 point second quarter in a loss to the Bulls that throws the Nets at least temporarily off the beaten path for a date in the big dance. With only 15 games now remaining, this season of turmoil may also have gotten another wrinkle after Devin Harris appeared to hurt an ankle in the first half. So, what's a surprise about that?

After clinging to the Bulls like GPS on the GSP, the Nets hit a sudden and semi-permanent speed bump in the second quarter that left them in the breakdown lane. With the Bulls bullying the Nets with in-your-face (or at least on your ass tailgating) defense while making every shot imaginable, the Nets were suddenly experiencing the sputtering that comes from inconsistency and made just two free throws over the last 7:33 (being outscored 21 - 2 during that time). It was a total engine failure once Harris pulled up lame, and by the time the second quarter was done, it was a 29 - 8 Bulls pounding and a 24 point halftime repair. It was not pretty, nor was it anywhere near effective, but the Nets somehow weren't completely dead yet.

Starting the third quarter with a purpose that was missing earlier, the Nets hit the gas and turned in a big third quarter, scoring 34 points while holding the Bulls to 21. And with just a minute gone in the fourth quarter, the Nets found themselves down 9 and cruising toward a big comeback. A 15 - 2 Bulls run restored order, however, and it got worse quickly as Chicago shifted into overdrive and put down the Nets once and for all.

A big chance to put some space between a competitor for that last playoff spot, and it was a miserable failure. The road woes continue post-Kidd, and with Atlanta, their other main opponent for that last berth coming to the Izod on Wednesday night, now is the time for the Nets to rev it up and go.

The Road Less Traveled
Life Is A Highway - The Bulls sure seemed to think so, anyway. Having their way with the Nets, especially on the boards and in transition, and the Nets folded meekly. The Chicago defense proved to be too much, and possession after Net possession in that second quarter were just painful to watch. Though there was a decent comeback in the second half, by then the Nets had dug far too deep of a hole. You would have though the Nets would have shown more urgency and toughness with so much on the line, but then again, this is the Nets we're talking about.
Blown Tire - It would be a serious blow to the Nets playoff hopes if Devin Harris is out for any significant amount of time. He's become the main cog in the Nets offense, and while he's been up and down to start his Nets career, he's been head and shoulders better than his backup, Marcus Williams (in fact, it was nice to see Darrell Armstrong get some play in the second half, let's hope he gets more playing time regardless untill Williams shakes himself from his slump), and is needed if the Nets are to have any hope for the playoffs. Come back quickly, Devin.
Road Warriors? - The Nets are still O-fer-the Harris trade on the road, which of course means little when you're not a true playoff contender. Still, this Bulls team was reeling, had blown a large lead against the Hornets the night before, and were ripe for the taking. The Nets, sad to say, cannot seem to capitalize on these opportunities no matter how or when they are presented.
Four By Four - Better game shooting for Vince Carter, who shot 8 - 16 and scored a team-high 22 points, but he needed more help from Richard Jefferson than he got. RJ had 5 turnovers to go with his 21 points, and once again wasn't a factor when he was needed (he was -8 to boot). Devin Harris left after less than a half, so Marcus Williams did pick up some of the offensive slack, scoring 16 points, but again, too little, too late (and his defense has been nasty (as in bad) of late). Finally, Boki Nachbar, who'd been big in the two home wins off the bench, was 1 - 10 from the field, and had a -25 plus/minus rating, which is brutally bad. Yes, it was that kind of night.

Road Service
So the road continues a lost and lonely place for these Nets, as proven once again tonight. Chicago had a lot going for it, like the efforts of Luol Deng, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes and Kirk Hinrich, plus rebounding, defense and much more energy and effort, and they deserved this blowout win. For the Nets, well, it's been a hugely inconsistent year all around, and when you think the Nets have finally figured it all out and are about to go on a long winning streak, they show up small and disappoint. Sure, there has been a mighty adjustment period, but the balance of Net players are not rookies, so they should be able to put forth better effort and execution regardless of the final outcome. You can live with a loss that came from effort, but when it's lacking, it's hard to root for this team. And mercy, if Devin Harris misses any significant amount of time, it could be a very long off-season (missing the playoffs entirely, as opposed to a first round exit, probably in a sweep, if they face the Celtics). With Atlanta in tomorrow night, let's see if the Nets can regroup, find a better energy and rhythm, and get a big home win.
- Joe