NBA Playoffs 2013: Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls Preview

The Brooklyn Nets will have their hands full in the first round of the NBA playoffs against a tough Chicago Bulls squad. (Photo by Shinya Suzuki/Flickr.com)

After clinching the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets (49-33)  are back in the 2013 NBA playoffs for the first time in six seasons. Their first-round opponent doesn’t present an easy matchup though, as the Nets will get the fifth-seeded Chicago Bulls (45-37), whom they went 1-3 against during the regular season.

While many are wondering whether star point guard Derrick Rose will return to Chicago’s lineup for the playoff run, ESPN’s Doug Padilla has the latest on Rose’s status, writing that Rose hasn’t been ruled out for the first-round series against Brooklyn.

Given the lack of chatter regarding Rose’s status for the playoffs, this preview will be written under the assumption that the Bulls are without Rose vs. Brooklyn.

Schedule (per ESPN)

Game One: Saturday, Apr. 20 at 8 p.m. ET

Game Two: Monday, Apr. 22 at 8 p.m. ET

Game Three: Thursday, Apr. 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Game Four: Saturday, Apr. 27 at 2 p.m. ET

Game Five (if necessary): Monday, Apr. 29 at TBD

Game Six (if necessary): Thursday, May 2 at TBD

Game Seven (if necessary): Saturday, May 4 at TBD

Deron Williams (8) gives the Brooklyn Nets a big edge at point guard if Derrick Rose doesn’t play for the Chicago Bulls. Photo Credit: Shinya, Flickr.com

Starting Lineups

PG: Deron Williams (18.9 PPG and 7.7 APG) vs. Kirk Hinrich (7.7 PPG and 5.2 APG)

This is a no-brainer, as Williams is above and beyond one of the best point guards in the league. This will be an area where Brooklyn can take advantage of Chicago, with D-Will’s 3-point and slashing abilities, as well as his propensity for finding open teammates.

Edge: Williams

SG: Joe Johnson (16.3 PPG and 3.5 APG) vs. Jimmy Butler (8.6 PPG and 4.0 RPG)

Given Joe Johnson’s experience in the NBA and Jimmy Butler’s lack of it, I think Johnson has the edge in this matchup. Butler only started 20 games for the Bulls this season and while Johnson certainly went through his struggles, his April shooting percentages have improved heading into the postseason.

Edge: Johnson

SF: Gerald Wallace (7.7 PPG and 1.4 SPG) vs. Luol Deng (16.5 PPG and 6.3 RPG)

As the leading scorer for Chicago, small forward Luol Deng has the edge here. Not only can he knock down big 3s, but he’s a big-bodied presence who can get into the paint and finish around the rim. Gerald Wallace won’t serve as much of an offensive option for Brooklyn, but rather will be on the floor for his defense and hustle.

Edge: Deng

PF: Reggie Evans (4.5 PPG and 11.1 RPG) vs. Carlos Boozer (16.2 PPG and 9.8 RPG)

From an offensive perspective, Carlos Boozer has the edge in the battle of the power forwards. If we’re talking rebounding and hustle plays, I think it’s got to be Reggie Evans all the way. Both of these guys will be the key to their team’s interior defense, but since Boozer has the better offensive game, the Bulls get the edge here.

Edge: Boozer

C: Brook Lopez (19.4 PPG and 2.1 BPG) vs. Joakim Noah (11.9 PPG and 11.1 RPG)

Emerging as one of the best centers in the NBA this season and leading the Nets in scoring, Brook Lopez is the better overall center in this matchup. Defensively, there’s no doubting that Joakim Noah has the edge, but Lopez is no slouch on defense either and has the ability to change the game offensively in the paint for Brooklyn. I think this will be the matchup to watch in this seven-game series.

Edge: Lopez

Nate Robinson gives the Bulls the advantage in the sixth man department. (Photo Credit: Shinya, Flickr.com)

Sixth Man: C Andray Blatche (10.3 PPG and 5.1 RPG) vs. PG Nate Robinson (13.1 PPG and 4.4 APG)

Andray Blatche is putting together a resurgent season in Brooklyn after a tumultuous career with the Washington Wizards, but Nate Robinson and the Bulls have the edge as far as sixth men go.

Robinson has consistently come off the bench and sparked Chicago. Look no further than his recent performance against the Knicks—a 118-111 win for the Bulls—when he scored 35 points in 33 minutes off the bench.

Bench Advantage: Brooklyn

Despite the efforts of Robinson, the Nets have the better bench entering the playoffs.

According to HoopsStats.com, Brooklyn’s bench averaged more points per game during the regular season than Chicago’s while shooting a better field-goal percentage and a higher efficiency rating. The likes of Blatche, C.J. Watson, Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks will be too much for the Bulls, not to mention the talents of Jerry Stackhouse and Keith Bogans knocking down shots.

Coaching: P.J. Carlesimo vs. Tom Thibodeau

P.J. Carlesimo has done an excellent job after taking over for Avery Johnson and leading the Nets to a rare playoff appearance, but Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau has been here before. Now in his third season as the Bulls’ head coach, Thibs’ Bulls have made the playoffs all three seasons.

Thibodeau has more coaching experience in the NBA and has the coaching edge against Brooklyn in the first round.

Edge: Thibodeau

Brook Lopez vs. Joakim Noah is the premier matchup in this series. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule)

Key Matchup: The Battle of the Centers

The leading scorer and one of the top offensive centers in the NBA in Brook Lopez will do battle with one of the NBA’s best defenders in Joakim Noah during this seven-game series.

In four games against the Bulls this season, Lopez is averaging 22 points and two blocks per contest while shooting 53 percent from the floor. Although Brooklyn is just 1-3 against Chicago this season, Lopez has been the key to the Nets’ offense.

Aside from being a staunch defender in the paint, Noah can be a force on offense as well, as he averaged 16.5 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game against the Nets in two games this season, making this the matchup you’ll want to focus on in this series.

Key to a Brooklyn Win: Guard Play

For the Nets to win this series, they’ll have to take advantage at the guard positions, especially with Williams over Hinrich. Williams has the superior scoring abilities and should be looking to get the ball to Joe Johnson, who will have the edge over an inexperienced Jimmy Butler.

Facing a strong defense around the rim, when the Nets’ guards drive to the rack, they should be looking to utilize scoop passes, get Chicago’s bigs up in the air and dish to Evans and Lopez for easy baskets in the paint.

Joakim Noah, along with Carlos Boozer, are the keys to a first-round Bulls win in the playoffs. (Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com)

Key to a Chicago Win: Dominate the Paint

Brooklyn’s big men have been solid this season but will have their hands full against Noah and Boozer in the first round.

In all three wins against the Nets this season, Noah and Boozer have been the leaders both offensively and defensively and haven’t shown any issues dealing with Evans and Lopez in the paint. While the Nets will have the edge at the guard positions, the paint will belong to Chicago.

Prediction

I’m taking the Nets in seven games.

I think guard play will be the ultimate difference-maker for Brooklyn, especially with C.J. Watson and MarShon Brooks playing huge roles off the bench. The Nets’ big men will have their issues with Noah and Boozer but Lopez, Evans and Blatche hold their own and watch D-Will and Johnson be the keys to victory in a first-round win for Brooklyn.

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