Keith Van Horn had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Todd MacCulloch added 18 and 13 as New Jersey avoided its first three-game losing streak of the season with a 100-68 rout of the lowly Bulls.
The Nets returned from an exhausting five-game road trip that featured two overtime contests. They took the court less than 48 hours after appearing fatigued in the finale at Golden State and were trying to end just their second losing streak.
 Kerry Kittles scored 10 points in the third quarter, the Bulls could only muster six. David Liam Kyle NBAE/Getty Images |
New Jersey jumped out to a 19-10 lead and never looked back, blowing it open with a lopsided third quarter. The Bulls were outscored, 24-6, in the period, making just 3-of-18 shots while comitting nine turnovers.
Chicago's point total matched a franchise low, achieved twice before, while the Nets tied a club record by holding an opponent to six points in a quarter for the second time.
"The second half was definitely the deciding point for us," Scott said. "Defensively, we came out and really got all over them. We pretty much put it away from there."
Kerry Kittles scored 10 of his 14 points in the period and Van Horn had nine.
Jason Kidd scored all 12 of his points in the first quarter and had eight assists and six rebounds for the Nets, who shot 48 percent (40-of-84) and committed just 10 turnovers.
"We just came out with energy and effort and we played defense," Kidd said. "When we play defense, we win ballgames"
New Jersey had a 46-38 rebounding edge and held the Bulls to 40 percent (29-of-72) shooting, including 1-of-6 from 3-point range.
Brad Miller and Marcus Fizer scored 13 points apiece and were the only players in double figures for Chicago, which has lost 10 straight and remained winless in eight road games.
"A lot of guys are frustrated, but we're not giving up," Fizer said. "We've never given up and there's a lot that we're lacking. It's tough on us, but we have to play through the adversity."
Ron Mercer scored game's the first basket, but Van Horn tied it with a layup less than a minute later and the Bulls never led again.
The game was tied, 4-4, before MacCulloch made a layup to give the Nets the lead for good with 8:49 to go. The basket sparked a 15-6 run that was highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers by Kidd.
"We had a really difficult start to the game," Chicago coach Tim Floyd said. "I didn't think were as aggressive. We all had our struggles offensively."
MacCulloch scored nine points in the second quarter and the Nets went into halftime with a 52-42 lead.
Fizer opened the third quarter with a jumper and, after a 3-pointer by Van Horn, Greg Anthony made a layup with 10:11 to go. But the Bulls missed their next nine shots and commited seven turnovers before scoring again on a layup by Anthony with 2:37 left.
While Chicago was floundering, the Nets were flourishing, running off 17 straight points to turn a nine-point lead into a 72-46 cushion.
"As a player, you like to go on those runs," MacCulloch said. "When you're getting stops, that leads to offense and you can see the other team losing it. You keep jumping on them until the game is over."
Kittles and Van Horn each scored six points during the burst and New Jersey took a 76-48 lead into the fourth quarter.