Bulls and Nets Do Battle in Big Apple
The Chicago Bulls take on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Friday night.

The Bulls (35-38) are slotted into the No. 9 spot in the Eastern Conference with nine games to go, and they'll enter Friday's contest having just snapped a three-game skid with a resounding 125-99 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 27 points, complementing them with six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Nikola Vucevic generated a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists and one block. Coby White delivered 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. Ayo Dosunmu supplied 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and two blocks. Andre Drummond contributed a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists and three steals. Alex Caruso finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

The Bulls will list Dosunmu (illness) and Caruso (ankle) as probable for Friday's game. Julian Phillips (foot) will remain out.

The Nets (28-45) were recently mired in a six-game losing streak, but they bounced back from that with consecutive victories. Their most recent success came Wednesday night, when they edged the Washington Wizards by a 122-119 score in overtime. Cam Thomas paced the Nets with 38 points, supplementing them with seven assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Dennis Schroder provided 21 points, eight assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Mikal Bridges registered 19 points, six boards, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Nic Claxton contributed a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one assist, three blocks and two steals. Trendon Watford offered 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.

The Nets will remain without Cameron Johnson (toe) for Friday's game. Dennis Smith (hip) and Noah Clowney (back) will carry probable tags.

Friday's game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 2-0 series lead.
Posted on: 3/28/2024 6:38 PM