BROOKLYN, NY – The Chicago Bulls (3-4) traveled to the Barclays Center to take on the Brooklyn Nets (2-5) in the second game of their back-to-back.
Kevin Durant scored 32 points in his sixth 30-point game of the season through eight games. The Bulls, however, were too much in the fourth quarter as Zach LaVine caught fire, finishing with 29 points and outscoring the Nets on his own 20-19 to give the Bulls a 108-99 victory.
KD’s Scoring Spree Continues
Kevin Durant started off hot, scoring 14 of Brooklyn’s 27 first-quarter points. However, The Bulls kept this a close game throughout as they trailed by six at halftime. Kyrie Irving had 0 points in the first half. This would be the first time Irving went scoreless in the first half since 2018. Despite the start from Irving, Durant was firing on all cylinders with 20 points in the first half, 10 points scored off free throws.
Kyrie was held scoreless until the ten-minute mark in the fourth quarter. He finished
With 4 points and shot 2-for-12 from the field.
LaVine Outscores Nets in The Fourth Quarter
The Bulls leading scorer at the half was Goran Dragic, who had 13 points. The Bulls went on a 12-0 run to end the third quarter and trailed by three heading into the fourth quarter
The fourth quarter belonged to Zach LaVine, as he was unstoppable. He had 20 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, and the Bulls ended the game on a 24-11 run. The Bulls had four starters finish with double-digit point totals DeMar DeRozan (20), Ayo Dosunmu (17), Patrick Williams (12), and Dragic off the bench, who finished with (15).
Nash And Nets Part Ways, Udoka Takes the Job
The Brooklyn Nets reported Tuesday that they were parting ways with head coach Steve Nash. The Nets started their season a disappointing 2-5, and the team had struggled through the first seven games of the season. Nash went 94-67 in his two seasons as the Nets head coach and won just one playoff series back in 2021 against the Celtics and would later lose to Milwaukee Bucks in seven games in the semifinals.
The following year the Nets were swept by the Boston Celtics 4-0. There were questions as to if the Nets could go in a different direction and possibly rebuild, but they decided to run it back one more year with a new look Nets team with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and a healthy Ben Simmons. The results had not been there over the first seven games, and the Nets believed it was best to move on from Nash.
The Nets had a busy day, not just firing but also hiring their new head coach. After firing Nash, the Nets reportedly are likely to agree to a deal to hire former suspended Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka.
Sources indicate that Boston is not expecting draft compensation from Brooklyn in order to hire Udoka, although negotiations are ongoing prior to a deal being done.
Udoka should strengthen the Nets’ defense and win over the team’s stars. Udoka made it to the NBA Finals in his first year as head coach of the Celtics after departing from the Nets as an assistant coach under Nash.
The Nets, who have dropped five of seven games to open the season, will have assistant Jacque Vaughn as head coach until Udoka is cleared to coach.
Next 5 Games for Both Teams
Bulls: VS CHA, @ BOS, @ TOR, VS TOR, VS NO
Nets: @ WAS, @ CHA, @ DAL, VS NYK, @ LAC
