CHICAGO -- This time last year the Chicago Bulls sat in the driver?s seat after finishing with a league-best regular season record. Derrick Rose was back from a nagging groin injury and the No.1 seeded Bulls matched up with the 8th seeded Philadelphia 76ers.
But Rose tore his ACL. The Bulls lost the series to Philadelphia, leaving Bull fans waiting for his return.
Fast forward to the present and the Bulls finished as a modest No.5 seed in the Eastern Conference (45-37) and are matched up against No.4 seed Brooklyn Nets (49-33).
The Bulls will be back to how they started the year, with everyone with the exception of Rose, active. The Nets have a healthy, full roster. Winners of seven of their last 10, the Nets finished second behind the New York Knicks in the division.
The Nets are led by Olympic gold winner Deron Willams (18.9 points, 7.7 assists), his backcourt mate Joe Johnson (16.3 points) and All-star Center Brook Lopez (19.4 points, 6.9 rebounds). Lopez is a first-time All-star and a four-year pro out of Stanford.
Also finishing No.2 in their division to the Indiana Pacers, the Bulls finished the season on a two game winning streak.
?There were seven or eight guys on the bench. We just never gave up.? Noah said in regards to the stretch of injuries the Bulls would experience all season.
The Bulls still managed to win the season series versus the Nets (3-1), which leaves one to wonder what direction this series may turn to. Just another mystery to add to the NBA playoffs.
Game 1: Bulls at Nets; Saturday, 7 p.m. (ESPN, CSN)
Game 2: Bulls at Nets; Monday, 7 p.m. (TNT, CSN)
Game 3: Nets at Bulls; Thu., April 25, 7:30 p.m. (CSN)
Game 4: Nets at Bulls; Sat., April 27, 1 p.m. (TNT, CSN)
Game 5-*: Bulls at Nets; Mon. , April 29; TBD (CSN)
Game 6-*: Nets at Bulls; Thu., May 2; TBD (CSN)
Game 7-*: Bulls at Nets; Sat., May 4; TBD (CSN)
*-if necessary
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