by Richard Kagan

The Chicago Bulls have had the hot hand in games. But not this one. The Brooklyn Nets came into the United Center and made a franchise record 24 3 point shots and routed the Bulls 124-96.

The Bulls (27-53) did not play Lauri Markkanen who had a sore elbow and back.  Guards Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine did not play. Denzel Valentine and Robin Lopez sat out the game too. So it was up to the bench mob and they did not come through.  Chicago shot 41% from the field as opposed to Brooklyn which went for 50% from the floor.

But the Nets used the three-point shot to its advantage and pulled away in the second half, at one point going up 30 points. The Bulls have fought back from big deficits but not on this night.

Quincy Acy led the Nets with 21 points off the bench. Allen Crabbe scored 20 points.

Guard Sean Kilpatrick, the new addition from the Nets, has put up some good numbers since coming over. He scored 20 points and led the Bulls.  Bobby Portis added 18 for Chicago.

Justin Holiday had a poor night trying to hit treys, going 1 for 9. Cameron Payne was 3 for 10 from the floor and at times, looked overmatched. David Nwaba went 2 of 10, and just couldn’t find the rim.

Chicago has two games left in the season. They finish playing Detroit in a home game.

The front office is getting a look at the reserves. Tonight, they did not stand out.