Bulls vs. Nets: Chicago Blows Out New Jersey with Complete Team Effort

There was some concern the Chicago Bulls could take this game for granted coming into a matchup against the eight-win New Jersey Nets, who were riddled with injuries.

Those fears proved to be unfounded, as the Bulls wreaked havoc on the Nets.

Carlos Boozer led the Bulls with 24 points and six boards, while Luol Deng added 19 points. C.J. Watson scored 14 points and added 11 assists and seven boards as well. Joakim Noah had nine points, 14 rebounds and five dimes. 

Brian Scalabrine got a round of applause when he came in (Scalabrine played for the Nets at one time), and he, not Derrick Rose, got the MVP chants at the free-throw line. 

That's the downside of this game; Derrick Rose had back spasms and only played 11 minutes, which is why Watson had such big numbers. 

The Bulls won their 12th road game of the season, an NBA-high. They also have the NBA's best road winning percentage, as well as the NBA's best record at 21-6. They are 1.5 games ahead of the Heat in the Eastern Conference, though the teams are even in the loss column. 

Deron Williams led the Nets with 25 points, and the Nets were without a number of players. Anthony Morrow was out at his grandmother's funeral, Brook Lopez has missed the entire season with a foot injury and MarShon Brooks was also injured, as were Mehemet Okur and DeShawn Stephenson. 

Life has to be hard on Williams right now. The former University of Illinois star is just about the only player New Jersey has right now who's playing halfway decently. 

It's hard to put too much stock in this game since the Nets are so undermanned. That being said, the only thing that is worth mentioning is that the Bulls were passing very well—and that's not the kind of thing that changes from team to team. 

If the Bulls can move the ball like that against Philadelphia or Miami, it would be the same result: a number of wide-open looks and a high field goal percentage. The Bulls had 29 of their 40 field goals assisted and shot .556. Those things are very much related. 

The Bulls were also 9-of-15 from deep. Again, that was in large part set up because of the passing, and that's the sort of thing that the Bulls need to do against the likes of Miami, whose defense struggles when it's stretched. 

The Bulls will next play against the struggling New Orleans Hornets in the Big Easy before going to Charlotte to face the Bobcats. With those two teams it's possible that Rose will get some extended rest if his back is still ailing him.

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