Nothing doing in the win column. The Brooklyn Nets went to New Orleans to face the Pelicans on Wednesday night to wrap up their three game road trip. It was close, but the Nets ultimately fell short by three points. The L was their fifth in a row.

The opponent tonight is hanging around the play-in. The Chicago Bulls are tenth in the Eastern Conference standings and look like they have another date with the play-in tournament this year. They helped their cause with a last second win against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 7:30 PM.

Injuries

No Ziaire Williams (illness) or Haywood Highsmith (surgery recovery). Ben Saraf remains on Long Island as does two-way E.J. Liddell.

The following players are out for the Bulls:

  • Zach Collins
  • Josh Giddey
  • Noa Essengue

Kevin Huerter is probable and Julian Phillips is questionable.

The game

Brooklyn won the first meeting in December.

This is a home-and-home set. These teams will do it again Sunday evening in Chicago.

Brooklyn will see an old nemesis at center tonight. Nikola Vucevic has given the Nets troubles over the year, but only shot 6-18 from the field in the first matchup back in December. For Nic Claxton and the Nets bigs, they’ll look to make things difficult for Vuc in the paint and force him into tough jumpers. If they can do that, they’ll make things a lot more difficult for Billy Donovan’s club.

The Nets have consistently had a turnover problem this season as they are ranked 29th in turnover rate. Fortunately for them, the Bulls don’t force many turnovers as they are 29th in opponent’s turnover rate. Every coach stresses the importance of making the most out of every possession, and it’s something Jordi Fernandez will put extra emphasis on tonight.

If Brooklyn is successful, they can make a living on the inside. The Bulls allow 31 shots per game inside the restricted area, most in the NBA this season. Drives to the cup open up a bevy of opportunities, and for someone like Cam Thomas in particular, it can get him back on the right track. It’s been a bit rocky since Thomas returned from a hamstring injury and getting to the cup is when he’s at his most dynamic.

Player to watch: Matas Buzeli

For the Bulls, they’ve got to figure out a real path forward. That means identifying players that can help them make it back to the playoffs and not just their annual play-in appearance. They’ve got a long way to go, but they’ve got somebody who is worth keeping an eye on. From Drew Stevens of The Bigs

“Buzelis is learning the subtleties of a team built on shared responsibility. Flagg is Dallas’s fulcrum, creating opportunities even when the outcome isn’t perfect. Mistakes come with responsibility — and that’s the point.

But the Bulls’ system allows Buzelis to translate lessons into growth and consistent production.

The last six games have shown what the 21-year-old can do with more responsibility, He’s scoring consistently, making smart reads and producing in the paint while also stretching the floor when opportunities arise. It’s growth that’s quiet but dependable.“

Gotta start somewhere.

The ballots are in, and Michael Porter Jr is hoping he did enough to earn his first All-Star nomination. MPJ has done everything asked of him this season and then some. Porter Jr tuned the Bulls up to the tune of 33 points the first time around, and he’ll look to see if he can put forth another great performance. He went 4-5 at the rim in that game, and if the Nets can create good looks for him at the cup, MPJ will make the most of it.

From the Vault

Salute to Sade

And ones in the air for Aaliyah

More reading: Blog a Bull, The Bigs, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter, City of Nets

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