The Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets open their first-round playoff series at 8 p.m. Saturday in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Nets will try to reverse their regular season fortunes against the Bulls.
NBA playoffs 2013, Bulls vs. Nets Game 1: Game time, TV schedule and more
Bulls try to continue regular season mastery of Nets in opening game of playoff series.
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Chicago won three of four games between the teams during the season, including one win at Brooklyn. The Nets struggled with defending Chicago's frontcourt again and again. Carlos Boozer scored 29 points with 18 rebounds against Brooklyn on April 4; Joakim Noah had 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists against the Nets on March 2; and reserve Taj Gibson had 16 points and nine rebounds against Brooklyn on Feb. 1.
The Bulls come into the series with health issues, however. Star Derrick Rose has missed the entire season while recovering from a torn ACL. Noah played in just three of the team's final 15 games dealing with a foot injury and could miss time during this series.
Brooklyn will counter with a team that was playing well as the season ended, led by Deron Williams. After struggling earlier in the season, a healthier Williams has seen his numbers rebound over the last two months. He shot nearly 50 percent in March and April and averaged nearly 24 points and eight assists per game.
Game time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.
TV: TNT
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