The Chicago Bulls and the Brooklyn Nets meet up for their first game in the opening round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs. The Nets are brining playoff basketball to Brooklyn for the first time as the Bulls are hoping to survive without key players.
Not present in the Chicago Bulls lineup will be Joekim Noah, a New York native. He has been sidelined for at least the first game, but maybe more. Noah suffered a setback with the lingering injury to his right foot and will be forced to miss the game against his hometown team.
Noah's absence could spell big problems for Chicago, who are also still without All-Star Derrick Rose. The Bulls lack depth at the center position and without Noah, this mathup of the No.4 and No.5 seeded teams could get competitive. Chicago won three out of four meetings during the regular season, but by small margins each time.
The Nets are at full-strength for the playoffs. They finished the regular season winning six of their final seven games to clinch the four seed. The Nets are in the playoffs for the first time since 2007, getting to open the postseason at the Barclays Center. Deron Williams will play a big part in this series for the Nets. After struggling during much of the start of the season, he finished strong after the All-Star break. He averaged 22.9 points since the break, while averaging just 16.7 points before.
The Bulls are not too concerned about not having Rose for the postseason. The team managed to win 45 games without him, but not having Noah will be an issue. Nazr Mohammed will get the start at center in his place. He will be forced to defend Brook Lopez, who has averaged 22 points this season against Chicago. Lopez said he expects Chicago's defense to play tough and if the team can eliminate turnovers, they should have the upper hand.
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