Top scorers meet in Brooklyn-Chicago matchup
Chicago Bulls (15-8, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (16-6, first in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST
LINE: Nets -3; over/under is 220
BOTTOM LINE: Kevin Durant and DeMar DeRozan meet when Brooklyn hosts Chicago. Durant ranks first in the NBA averaging 28.6 points per game and DeRozan ranks fourth in the league averaging 26.3 points per game.
The Nets are 13-4 in conference matchups. Brooklyn is sixth in the league shooting 36.8% from downtown, led by Kessler Edwards shooting 50.0% from 3-point range.
The Bulls have gone 9-5 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference allowing just 105.1 points while holding opponents to 44.6% shooting.
The two teams matchup for the second time this season. The Bulls defeated the Nets 118-95 in their last meeting on Nov. 9. DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, and Durant led the Nets with 38 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Patty Mills averages 3.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Nets, scoring 12.7 points while shooting 47.6% from beyond the arc. Durant is averaging 28.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists over the last 10 games for Brooklyn.
DeRozan is shooting 49.5% and averaging 26.3 points for the Bulls. Zach LaVine is averaging 3.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Chicago.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 8-2, averaging 113.2 points, 42.5 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 7.4 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points per game.
Bulls: 6-4, averaging 112.0 points, 41.8 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 7.6 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.2 points.
INJURIES: Nets: Joe Harris: out (ankle), Kyrie Irving: out (not with team), Cam Thomas: day to day (quad).
Bulls: Javonte Green: out (health protocols), Patrick Williams: out (left wrist), Alex Caruso: day to day (hamstring), Coby White: out (covid-19).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
