The Brooklyn Nets just keep hanging around. Right when the Chicago Bulls thought they were going to eliminate the team, the Nets won a crucial Game 5, forcing the series to continue. The 110-91 win at the Barclays Center proved the Nets were not ready to be done just yet. As the series heads back to Chicago, the Bulls will try once again to eliminate Brooklyn from championship contention.
The injuries are beginning to stack up for each team. Chicago is struggling with depth issues. Kirk Hinrich will miss his second-straight game due to an injury in his left calf. Both Luol Deng and Taj Gibson are sick, but expected to play. Joakim Noah is still suffering from plantar fasciitis and there is no need to even bring up Derek Rose. Joe Johnson is the lone injury for the Nets as he is also suffering from plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
The Nets are trying to pull off the impossible on Thursday night. The team has struggled playing in Chicago, losing both regular season games there along with Game 3 and 4 in the playoffs. In the history of the NBA, only eight teams have overcome a 3-1 deficit and won the series. The Nets bettered their chances winning Game 5, but it is still an uphill battle. Johnson says the team is confident, believing the series is not over.
Nate Robinson has been the story of the series. The point guard scored 34 points off the Bulls' bench, leading Chicago to a Game 4 triple-overtime win. He failed to have the same success on Monday, scoring just 20 points, but playing slow defense.
Brooklyn's offense looked much more in sync on Monday. Both Brook Lopez and Deron Williams had high scoring nights, recording 28 and 23 points respectively. Lopez also had 10 rebounds while Williams had 10 assists. The Chicago defense without Hinrich had trouble slowing down the combination of Lopez and Williams. With the guard out again for Thursday's game, the Nets like their chances.
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