Brooklyn Nets an infrequent tradition on Christmas
By Phil Watson
Dec. 25, 2013: Bulls stampede through Barclays Center
For the second consecutive season, the Brooklyn Nets laid an egg at home on Christmas Day, shooting just 35.2 percent in a 95-78 thumping at the hands of the Chicago Bulls.
The Nets trailed just 41-38 at halftime before the Bulls exploded for 36 points in the third quarter behind 11 points from Jimmy Butler. Taj Gibson then scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to help Chicago fend off the Nets for the win.
Deron Williams scored 18 points with four assists to lead the Nets, who hit just 25-of-71 from the floor and committed 16 turnovers.
Mirza Teletovic added 17 points and two blocks, Reggie Evans went for 13 rebounds and Paul Pierce had a pair of blocks but scored just six points on 1-of-8 shooting.
Gibson also grabbed eight rebounds and had two blocks for the Bulls, while Joakim Noah finished with 10 points and eight boards. D.J. Augustin came off the bench with 13 points and five assists.
The loss dropped the Nets to 9-19 and fell to 10-21 in their lone season under coach Jason Kidd before finishing with 34 wins in their final 51 games and a first-round victory over the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs.