The Chicago Bulls are now just one victory away from advancing to the second round of the NBA Playoffs as they defeated the Nets 140-134 in a triple overtime battle. With the victory, the Bulls take a 3-1 lead in the best of seven series. Thanks to a heroic outing by Nate Robinson, the Bulls were able to rally in order to even make this game competitive. He finished with a game-high 34 points as the injury riddled Bulls took another from the Nets.
The Bulls put this one away late in the third overtime as the started the extended period on an 8-3 run. The Nets simply couldn't get anything going consistently, though they had the advantage with their main shooters in the game.
Nazir Mohammed put the game on ice with back-to-back layups that eventually gave the Bulls a six-point lead with 19 seconds remaining in the game. The Nets didn't have any answers at the closing of the game and they now find themselves a game away from elimination.
Carlos Boozer scored 21 points with eight rebounds. Kirk Hinrich added 18 points and 14 assists while the still not 100 percent Joakim Noah chipped in with a double-double, grabbing 15 rebounds and scoring 15 points.
The Bulls actually had a huge advantage right before the end of the first half. However, by that point, the Nets had enough fight in them to trim the deficit to just three points as they ended the second quarter on an 8-1 run in the final 1:42.
By the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Nets were in control as they outscored the Bulls 29-18 in the third quarter. With time winding down, Robinson stepped up and went on a run as he brought the Bulls back from oblivion. There's a big reason from leading as series 3-1 than going into Game 5 tied 2-2. Robinson apparently knew the importance.
With 3:45 remaining in the game, Robinson scored 12 points in just over two minutes to bring back the Bulls. Boozer tied the game at 109 with a layup as there was less than a minute remaining in the game. Regulation concluded tied at 111.
When it seemed like the Bulls had all the momentum at the beginning of overtime. However, the Nets came firing out the games and the Bulls needed Robinson to help them out again. He drained a tear shot off the glass and gave the Bulls a 121-119 lead with just two seconds remaining. Joe Johnson stepped up and played savior once again with a jumper right before the buzzer to tie the game at 121.
With Robinson fouled out in the second overtime, the Bulls were able to hold on and tie until the fourth quarter when they somehow managed to put the game away.
The Nets received solid basketball from their main guys. Deron Williams scored 32 points and had 10 assists, Brook Lopez added 26 points, four blocks and 11 assists, while Johnson added 22 points after going 10-20 from the floor.
The Nets now have to win Game 5 in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center if they want to remain alive in this series.