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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
CHICAGO (AP) -- It wasn't brilliant strategy, just common sense
for the Chicago Bulls. If they wanted to have a chance at winning
Sunday, they had to get the ball to Elton Brand.
|  | | Stephon Marbury struggled, shooting just 5 of 19 from the field. |
Brand, limited to nine shots two nights earlier in a loss at New
York, touched the ball early and often against the New Jersey Nets.
He matched his season high with 31 points and also grabbed a
season-best 16 rebounds as the Bulls beat the Nets 86-77, sending
New Jersey to its seventh straight loss.
"I just wanted to be aggressive. I'd only had like nine touches
in the last game," Brand said, who went 9-of-16 on field goals and
13-of-17 on free throws.
"We wanted to pound them and go after them. They used single
coverage early and that surprised me. And then when they doubled,
we kicked it out and made them pay."
The Nets, whose flight to Chicago on Saturday was delayed 14
hours by snow, finally arrived early Sunday morning.
Sluggish? They sure played that way, especially Stephon Marbury,
who managed 18 points on 5-of-19 shooting.
"I wasn't myself. I don't think I played up to par as I
normally can," Marbury said. "I am not blaming that on the
travel. I just didn't have it today."
Ron Mercer, who added 18 points for the Bulls, played a strong
defensive game against Marbury.
"I just tried to stay in front of him and hope he'd miss
shots," Mercer said.
The Nets fell behind by 15 in the third quarter and then nearly
overtook the Bulls, pulling within three in the final quarter. But
they were doomed by their slow start.
"The travel and a long day is no excuse," Nets coach Byron
Scott said. "I guess if you're looking for one, then that would be
it. I am disappointed and a little upset we didn't come out
prepared."
New Jersey's Aaron Williams added 16 points and 14 rebounds
before fouling out.
Brand's thundering dunk on a nifty pass from Bryce Drew gave the
Bulls a 59-44 lead late in the third quarter and Chicago appeared
on its way to a rare blowout.
But the Nets scored the final six points of the period and the
first four of the final quarter, a 10-0 run that narrowed it to
59-54. Brad Miller's only basket of the game and Brand's follow put
the Bulls back up by nine, but Williams got inside for two baskets
and Sherman Douglas drove for a field goal as the Nets got within
65-62.
Mercer made two baskets and Ron Artest converted a three-point
play as the Bulls increased the lead back to eight. New Jersey got
within four again before Artest took a pass from Drew for a dunk
with 1:50 left.
The Bulls opened up a 43-34 halftime lead as Brand hit eight
straight free throws and a basket to spark a 17-7 second-quarter
run.
"We brought Elton into the post at different areas to get him
the ball," Bulls coach Tim Floyd said. "That helped him attack
the basket."
Game notes
The victory was the second straight at home for the Bulls,
3-11 at the United Center this season. ... Kendall Gill, who missed
New Jersey's previous game with tendinitis in his right knee,
returned to the starting lineup. ... Marbury was 0-for-7 on
3-pointers and the Nets were only 1-for-16 as a team. ... Chicago's
Fred Hoiberg had a season-high 10 rebounds. ... Kenyon Martin also
fouled out for New Jersey after scoring just six points.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
New Jersey Clubhouse
Chicago Clubhouse
RECAPS
Chicago 86
New Jersey 77
Washington 110
Detroit 96
AUDIO/VIDEO
 The Bulls' Bryce Drew dishes to Ron Artest, who goes up strong for a dunk.
avi: 443 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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