Bloodied, like the economy

Opponent File
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls play in the United Center in Chicago, IL. Their 2006 - 2007 record was 49 - 33 (third in the Central). Here is the Chicago Bulls Roster.

Local Papers:
Chicago Sun-Times | Bulls
Chicago Tribune | Bulls
Team Pages:
CNNSI.com | Bulls
ESPN.com | Bulls
FoxSports | Bulls
NBA.com | Bulls
Sportsline.com | Bulls

Head Coach: Jim Boylan (interim)
2007 Draft: F/C Joakim Noah (#9), Florida; C Aaron Gray (#49), Pittsburgh; G James OnCurry (#51), Oklahoma State.
New Players: - F Drew Gooden (trade); G Larry Hughes (trade); F Shannon Brown (trade); F Cedric Simmons (trade).
Season Goal: Win the Eastern Conference and go to the NBA Finals. With their talent, anything less (excepting a trade for Kobe) is unacceptable.
Record vs. Nets: 0 - 2
G1: Nets 112, Bulls 103 OT
G54: Nets 110, Bulls 102 OT

Other Opponent Files

Chicago Bulls (26 - 39) - Tuesday, March 18, 2008, 8:30PM EST - United Center
Bullish, Or Bearish?
The economy's in the toilet, inflation's rising, consumers are holding fast to their wallets, and the NBA playoffs are nearing. Are you bullish or bearish on the Nets' chances of getting into the big dance? Well, the Bulls, from Chicago, are one of the teams battling it out with the Nets for the final playoff berth. With two overtime wins, including the first game of the post-Kidd era, it would suggest the teams are evenly matched, but can the Nets manage to hold off the new-look Bulls (shortly after these teams played on February 20, the Bulls traded Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, and a pick in a three team deal that brought them back Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Cedric Simmons, and Shannon Brown)? Since that trade, the Bulls are 5 - 7, so you can't exactly say it's worked out yet. Neither has it been perfect for the Nets, who take a 5 - 8 record into tonight's game since the Kidd deal (including that victory at home against the Bulls that started the Harris era). So what do we think, Netsfans? Bullish or bearish tonight, and for the remaining 16 games left on the schedule? If it was that easy, there would be no risk, just like the stock market. Expect a bumpy ride the rest of the way.

Why Should You Watch? Time is growing short - can the Nets eliminate one of their main rivals for the playoffs? How have the new Bulls been fitting in with Luol Deng and Ben Gordon? Can Marcus Williams go crazy again like he did on February 20? The Nets sure could use that. Vince Carter needs a big game all-around, he's probably overdur for one of those 40+ point efforts. Can the Nets play some serious defense? They usually struggle against Ben Gordon. It's up to the Nets and coach Lawrence Frank to find a way to get into the playoffs - no excuses.
- Joe

Chicago Bulls Cheat Sheet
The Story From Chicago: From the Chicago Tribune: Ben Gordon doesn't do regret.

Supremely confident, supremely focused, he forever looks ahead. The only time he thinks about declining a five-year, $50 million extension or playing a season-low 14 minutes Friday is when asked.

"I'm happy with my decision, regardless what happens," Gordon said of the former. "We'll see what happens in the off-season."

As for the latter, Gordon, who had four fouls, said blowing an 18-point lead and losing to Philadelphia made his playing time "an afterthought."

"It was just one of those games where [coach Jim Boylan]thought that we had something going with the other guys," he said.

Pain Game: G Chirs Duhon (illness) and G James OnCurry (thumb) are listed as out for the Bulls. F Nenad Krstic (illness) is listed as questionable for the Nets.

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