East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Rookie Terrence Williams recorded his first career triple-double, pouring in a career-high 27 points to go with 13 rebounds and 10 helpers in New Jersey's 127-116 double-overtime win over the playoff-hopeful Chicago Bulls.
Bulls Miss Chance To Improve Playoff Hopes, Lose to Nets in Double OT
Brad Miller had 27 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Bulls, who squandered a chance to pull ahead of Toronto for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With the loss, Chicago remains tied with the Raptors, who lost to Atlanta on Friday. The Bulls and Raptors tangle Sunday in Toronto.
Derrick Rose recorded 25 points, six assists and six rebounds, while Luol Deng had 19 points in defeat, Chicago’s second in three games.
After New Jersey recovered from a seven-point deficit in the final minute of the first overtime, the Nets blew out the Bulls in the second extra session.
Chicago didn’t record a point in double overtime until there was 1:20 left, while New Jersey went on a 7-0 run. Yi’s dunk made it 119-112 with just over two minutes left, and a Lopez slam extended the margin to 12 with seconds to play, sealing the win.
The Bulls grabbed only a 29-24 lead after the first quarter after Williams hit an acrobatic 35-foot three-pointer at the buzzer, but the Nets closed their deficit to 53-52 at halftime.
New Jersey ended the third quarter on an 8-3 run to grab a 75-69 lead heading to the fourth and expanded its cushion to 90-78 on a Courtney Lee triple with 7:39 to play.
Chicago, though, rallied to get back in the game, scoring the next six points to climb to within 90-84 on a Rose basket with 6 1/2 minutes left. The Bulls still trailed by five with under two minutes to go, but Miller spearheaded an 8-0 burst, scoring six of the points and draining two free throws with 9.1 seconds left for a 102-99 Bulls lead.
Harris answered with a running jumper that fell with 4.6 seconds left, and Rose made only 1-of-2 at the line with 3.0 ticks to go for a 103-101 game. Lee attempted the same exact running shot from the lane but missed; however, Lopez was there to slam the ball in and tie the game with just 0.1 seconds showing on the clock.
The Bulls took control in the first overtime, scoring nine of the first 11 points to grab a 112-105 advantage on a pair of Rose free throws with 1:09 to go.
The Nets, however, held Chicago scoreless down the stretch and rallied to tie the game.
Lee missed a three but got a reprieve when Yi grabbed an offensive rebound; Lee did not miss his second chance, and Rose immediately turned the ball over in the backcourt with 50.2 seconds left. Harris followed with a driving layup for a 112-110 game but missed the extra free throw with a chance to cut the margin to one.
Again New Jersey forced Rose to turn the ball over, and the Nets got the ball back with 25.2 seconds left. Lopez missed a layup but grabbed his own rebound and was fouled while attempting a layup with 12.8 ticks to play. He made both shots, tying the game, and Rose’s fadeaway jumper in the final seconds was no good.
The Bulls have lost 15 of their last 16 games in New Jersey...Nets forward Jarvis Hayes sprained his ankle in the first half and did not return...Chicago fell to just 16-6 when it grabs 50 rebounds or more. The Bulls had 51 boards, while the Nets had a season-high 55...New Jersey also set season-highs in points, field goals attempted and field goals made...Williams’ rebound total ties a career-high.
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