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Nets turn[over] the page, pick up a key win vs. the Bulls in the post-Atkinson era, 110-107

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By Tom Lorenzo
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Chicago Bulls v Brooklyn Nets Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images

The post-Kenny Atkinson, now-Jacque Vaughn era began on Sunday afternoon as the Nets tried to look toward a future with playoff hopes in sight and - because we can’t escape it - the 2020/21 season still top of mind.

Brooklyn entered Sunday’s game a half game ahead of the Orlando Magic in 7th place in the East. No one wants any part of that 8th seed. No one. So, yes, of course this one was “big.”

Caris LeVert, who picked up his first career triple-double on Thursday night against the Spurs remained hot, scoring 23 points, as the Nets starters combined to score 84 points on their way to beating the Bulls, 110-107.

Let’s not talk about those 29 turnovers, though, OK?

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t even kinda pretty. But, a win is a win.

DeAndre Jordan picked up the start at center over Jarrett Allen, in Vaughn’s first “move” as the team’s head coach. Before the game, Vaughn told the media that he was hoping the move would impact the team on “both sides of the ball.”

So what changed?

Well, the Nets played well in the first quarter, shooting 50 percent from the floor and hitting 4-of-7 threes. Oh, right, and they turned the ball over 9 times in 12 minutes. But, other than that - they played great good well.

Then again...

Timothe Luwauwu-Cabarrot played 13 first half minutes, scored zero points and picked up three fouls. Taurean Prince was 0-of-5 from the field in the first half, while Wilson Chandler was 0-of-4.

Still, even with 13 turnovers in 24 minutes, the Nets found themselves with a 58-50 lead at the half, thanks in big part to Joe Harris who scored 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting.

Brooklyn ended the first half on a 22-9 run.

Caris LeVert added 16 points, while Jordan had just 4 points but pulled down 8 rebounds. Jarrett Allen off the bench had 8 first-half points.

Coby White and Otto Porter, Jr., each had 9 points off the bench for the Bulls.

In the second half, the Nets focused on cleaning up the turnover issue and continuing to push the pace. The pace thing? Check. The limiting the turnovers? Hah.

Brooklyn ended the game with 29 turnovers (yikes) to Chicago’s 6 turnovers.

The Nets really only stayed in this one because they remained hot from the three point line and the Bulls, while only turning the ball over 6 times, were ice cold from the floor.

Chicago shot 42 percent from the floor and just 12-of-34 from the three-point line. They were unable to take advantage of all the extra possessions the Nets allotted them.

Harris, Dinwiddie and LeVert did most of the damage, combining to score 70 of the Nets’ 110 total points. Dinwiddie led the way with a game-high 24 points.

Jordan did double-double in his start, scoring 11 points and pulling down 15 rebounds in 28 minutes.

How’s this for positives?

Does that erase the memory of the 29 turnovers? No? Didn’t think so.

Chicago had just one starter in double figures - Lauri Markkanen finished with 16 points in 26 minutes. He seems to be healthy, finally.

The Nets keep pace and maintain their lead as the 7th seed in the East.

Next up for the Nets, they head out west for a 4-game road swing through California, with their first stop on Tuesday where they’ll visit LeBron James in Los Angeles.

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HIP-HIP ... HOORAY?

TIMES LIKE THESE CALL FOR MORE IAN EAGLE

WHO RUNS THE LEAGUE?

The first move from interim head coach Jacque Vaughn in the post-Kenny era? He moved DeAndre Jordan into the starting lineup in place of Jarrett Allen, much to Twitter’s dismay.

And so on, and so forth. Crazy.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE SWISS CHEEZE

For more on the Bulls, check out Blog A Bull.

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