After coming off the bench in the Nets previous four games, Brook Lopez returned to his normal starting role and led the Nets in a 96-82 beat down of the Bulls in Chicago Tuesday night.
Lopez shot 13 of 21 from the field to finish with a season high 29 points, while helping the Nets end Chicago’s seven game win streak.
Joe Johnson chipped in as well shooting 8-13 from the field, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
This win marks the Nets second win of the season against a team with a winning record, their first coming against the Spurs on November 22nd.
The game was close for the first 14 minutes, until the Bulls’ Aaron Brooks was ejected after picking up his second technical foul. Brooklyn would then score eight straight points to take a 32-31 lead. The Nets continued their run and led by as many as 11 points before taking a 55-45 halftime lead.
From that point on the Nets didn’t look back as Lopez scored 13 third quarter points to give the Nets a comfortable lead.
Mike Dunleavy, who has struggled as of late, was the lone bright spot for the Bulls going 9-15 from the field, finishing with 23 points.
