Nets Survive Game 5 to Extend Series

facebook.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 29th, 2013

Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls Game 5 Recap

Final Score: Bulls 91 Nets 110

The Brooklyn Nets after a horrific triple-overtime loss in Game 4, which was by far their worst loss of the season, and probably one of the worst losses in playoff history, were somehow able to bounce back at home and avoid elimination. The Nets win in game 5 at the Barclays Center will send the series back to Chicago, and the Nets will have to win again to push a Game 7.

Positives:

- Nets All-Star Center Brook Lopez has probably been the Nets most consistent and best player throughout this series, and that continued in Game 5. Lopez finished with a game-high 28 points on 11 for 20 shooting, and 10 rebounds. Lopez has really stepped up his play from a great regular season, as he’s averaging more points, rebounds, and blocks per game in the series against the Bulls. 

- With Bulls Starting Point Guard Kirk Hinrich missing Game 5 with a calf injury it allowed Deron Williams to have a nice game, as Hinrich has quietly had a great series against Williams. Deron was able to finish with 23 points on six for 14 shooting, with 10 assists. Williams has had a very up and down series so far, but when he plays well the Nets win, so the Nets will need two more good games from Williams which is something he is certainly capable of doing.



- Gerald Wallace, who openly questioned his role with the team before Game 4 came out and his second straight good game on the offensive end of the court, where he has struggled a lot throughout the season. Wallace finished with 12 points on five for eight shooting, and most importantly was able to spread the floor for Brooklyn by hitting two of four from downtown.

- The bench was a big advantage for the Nets in Game 5, as with the Bulls forced to start Nat Robinson for the injured Hinrich the Nets were easily able to win the scoring battle of the bench units. Carlesimo basically shorten up his rotation to eight men with only Kris Humphries, Andray Blatche, and C.J. Watson playing double-digit minutes off the bench. Blatche led the way scoring wise for the Nets bench, as he scored 13 points on five for eight shooting, and added five rebounds. Watson played the most minutes off the bench (23), and scored 11 points on four for eight shooting, and like Blatche did a good job on the glass, by grabbing four rebounds. Humphries also got rotation minutes, as he played 16 minutes, and scored a nice eight points on four for eight shooting, while grabbing six rebounds. Overall the Nets bench was great scoring and rebounding the ball, as the eight-man rotation seemed to work for Carlesimo in Game 5.