NBA: Christmas Day Preview

Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets (12 PM ET) 

May 4, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson (7) shoots over Chicago Bulls small forward Jimmy Butler (21) in game seven of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Barclays Center. Bulls win 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

I’m sure when the NBA scheduled this game back in September, it had a very optimistic outlook on the outcome of this game. Oh, how times change. Derrick Rose has fallen back on the end of the bench in a suit and the Nets, who were expected to contend for a title and be among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, have done just the opposite. Brook Lopez has suffered yet another foot injury that has placed him out for the remainder of the season and both the Bulls and the Nets are considerably below the .500 mark. Had I told you that would be the case by Christmas Day in the beginning of the season, I would’ve been called insane. However, this is the position both teams sit in. Make no mistake about it, though, this will be a highly competitive game as both teams have far too much pride to just roll over and accept defeat. Brooklyn is slowly starting to gain form and the Bulls always have a chance with their tenacious and aggressive play. Expect this game to be scrappy and hard-fought by both teams in the Christmas Day opener.