3 Reasons Why the Chicago Bulls Will Fall to Nets in Game 7

“Game 7” is usually the most exciting phrase in the world of sports. That is unless, of course, you are the Chicago Bulls.

After winning three straight games in their playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets, the Bulls dropped the last two contests and now face the grueling task of trying to win on the road in order to advance to the next round.

While Bulls center Joakim Noah truly believes the Bulls will come out on top in Game 7 (Per Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago), here are a few reasons why that prediction will not come to fruition.

Absence of key players

It is no secret that several Bulls players have battled injures throughout the course of the regular season and that trend has continued in the playoffs.

Kirk Hinrich, who has been dealing with a sore calf suffered in the Bulls' Game 4 win, has been ruled a game-time decision (via SBNation.com). Anyone who has watched this series knows that Hinrich was a big reason why Chicago built a 3-1 lead.

Not only has Hinrich averaged a respectable 11.3 points and 5.8 assists per contest, he also limited Nets guard Deron Williams to 33 percent shooting through the first four games. 

Here is a little food for thought. Even if Hinrich is able to suit up for this game, will he still be as effective if he is less than 100 percent? The answer to that question is? Not likely.

As if the uncertainty regarding Hinrich’s status is not bad enough, Luol Deng has been ruled out for Game 7 due to an illness (via ESPN Chicago).

So without two of the team’s best players at their respective positions on the floor, it is safe to say the Bulls will have a difficult time in this decisive game.

Inability to slow down Nets’ key players

The Nets are averaging nearly 101 points per contest in this series, and most of the damage is being done by Deron Williams and Brook Lopez.

Williams is averaging 20 points and nearly nine assists per contest and had little trouble scoring in the past two games with Nate Robinson defending him. Lopez is averaging over 22 points and seven rebounds per game, while hitting nearly 90 percent of his free throws.

In addition to that, Joe Johnson is scoring close to 17 points per game. Unless the Bulls find a way to clamp down on these scorers, this pivotal Game 7 will turn into a rout early.

Bulls history in Game 7s

I will keep this point short and sweet by simply mentioning that history has not been kind to the Bulls with regards to playing a seventh game on the road.

In fact, the franchise is 0-6 all time when playing a deciding game on the road, a trend that does not bode well for a team missing key players from the lineup.

In the final analysis, anything can happen in a Game 7, which includes the possibility of an injury-riddled team pulling off a road win.

However, while the Bulls have a lot of heart, they simply do not enough talent to come out on top in this one.