Preview: Bulls (48-32) at Nets (37-42)
Date: April 13, 2015 7:30 PM EDT
Derrick Rose is still looking for his form after returning from injury, though he took a big step forward his last time out - a good sign for a Chicago Bulls team jockeying for playoff position.
They'll look to stave off a Brooklyn Nets team fighting to reach the postseason Monday night.
The Bulls (48-32) are even with Toronto for the third seed in the Eastern Conference, though the Raptors hold the tiebreaker as Atlantic Division champions.
Chicago appears to have the trickier remaining schedule, as it hosts first-place Atlanta on Wednesday while Toronto is at Boston before playing Charlotte at home. It's uncertain if the Hawks will use Wednesday's game against the Bulls to rest their starters with home court in the East playoffs wrapped up, though.
Regardless of its seeding, Chicago had to be encouraged by Rose's performance Saturday. After two lackluster showings since coming back, he had 22 points, eight assists and no turnovers with three steals in 28 minutes of a 114-107 home win over Philadelphia.
"I thought he played terrific - in all areas," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "You can tell he feels good, and that's the most important thing."
Rose had been 8 for 24 with 21 points after a 20-game absence due to a torn meniscus, playing fewer than 21 minutes in both contests. Chicago has gone 18-7 when he scores at least 20, including four straight victories.
"It's still going to take time. I'm just happy I have the teammates I have," said Rose, who has been limited to 49 games. " ... They're sticking with me, so I'm grateful, excited and filled with joy that I'm back playing."
Rose averaged 18.5 points as Chicago won the first two meetings with Brooklyn by a combined 43 points, but he was limited to four on 2-of-15 shooting in a 96-82 home loss to the Nets on Dec. 30.
The Nets (37-43) flopped offensively Sunday at Milwaukee, shooting 32.5 percent in a 96-73 loss. They had made 49.2 percent during a 5-2 stretch, but each starter hit 37.5 percent or worse against the Bucks with Deron Williams and Thaddeus Young going a combined 5 for 25 with seven turnovers.
Brooklyn is one game behind seventh-place Boston and tied with Indiana, though it holds the tiebreaker over the Pacers after winning the season series. Another Nets loss or Celtics victory would put the seventh seed out of reach for Brooklyn, which concludes its season Wednesday at home against Orlando.
"We have to forget about this one," Young said of Sunday's defeat. "We can't even think about the next two games, we have to focus on this next one against Chicago. It's as simple as that."
Brook Lopez had 12 points - more than five below his average - and 10 rebounds against the Bucks. It was his 17th double-double but an underwhelming performance after he had averaged 26.2 points in his previous 13 contests. He scored 29 in the most recent meeting with Chicago.
Williams has shot 9 for 35 (25.7 percent) in the season series.
Chicago is looking for consecutive road wins for the first time since Feb. 7-8.
Date: April 13, 2015 7:30 PM EDT
Derrick Rose is still looking for his form after returning from injury, though he took a big step forward his last time out - a good sign for a Chicago Bulls team jockeying for playoff position.
They'll look to stave off a Brooklyn Nets team fighting to reach the postseason Monday night.
The Bulls (48-32) are even with Toronto for the third seed in the Eastern Conference, though the Raptors hold the tiebreaker as Atlantic Division champions.
Chicago appears to have the trickier remaining schedule, as it hosts first-place Atlanta on Wednesday while Toronto is at Boston before playing Charlotte at home. It's uncertain if the Hawks will use Wednesday's game against the Bulls to rest their starters with home court in the East playoffs wrapped up, though.
Regardless of its seeding, Chicago had to be encouraged by Rose's performance Saturday. After two lackluster showings since coming back, he had 22 points, eight assists and no turnovers with three steals in 28 minutes of a 114-107 home win over Philadelphia.
"I thought he played terrific - in all areas," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "You can tell he feels good, and that's the most important thing."
Rose had been 8 for 24 with 21 points after a 20-game absence due to a torn meniscus, playing fewer than 21 minutes in both contests. Chicago has gone 18-7 when he scores at least 20, including four straight victories.
"It's still going to take time. I'm just happy I have the teammates I have," said Rose, who has been limited to 49 games. " ... They're sticking with me, so I'm grateful, excited and filled with joy that I'm back playing."
Rose averaged 18.5 points as Chicago won the first two meetings with Brooklyn by a combined 43 points, but he was limited to four on 2-of-15 shooting in a 96-82 home loss to the Nets on Dec. 30.
The Nets (37-43) flopped offensively Sunday at Milwaukee, shooting 32.5 percent in a 96-73 loss. They had made 49.2 percent during a 5-2 stretch, but each starter hit 37.5 percent or worse against the Bucks with Deron Williams and Thaddeus Young going a combined 5 for 25 with seven turnovers.
Brooklyn is one game behind seventh-place Boston and tied with Indiana, though it holds the tiebreaker over the Pacers after winning the season series. Another Nets loss or Celtics victory would put the seventh seed out of reach for Brooklyn, which concludes its season Wednesday at home against Orlando.
"We have to forget about this one," Young said of Sunday's defeat. "We can't even think about the next two games, we have to focus on this next one against Chicago. It's as simple as that."
Brook Lopez had 12 points - more than five below his average - and 10 rebounds against the Bucks. It was his 17th double-double but an underwhelming performance after he had averaged 26.2 points in his previous 13 contests. He scored 29 in the most recent meeting with Chicago.
Williams has shot 9 for 35 (25.7 percent) in the season series.
Chicago is looking for consecutive road wins for the first time since Feb. 7-8.
