Before the start of Game 6, the expectations on the Brooklyn Nets were thin. Chicago held a 3-2 advantage in the first round series and they were playing at the United Center. But against the general consensus, the Nets put together a surprising team effort, tying the series 3-3 and forcing a seventh and definitive game at Barclays Center.
With Thursday's 95-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls, the Nets scored their second straight win and avoid elimination in the 2013 NBA postseason. The final and decisive match will be held this Saturday, May 4th at the Barclays Center.
Game 6 was truly decisive for the Nets. The team knew they had to dominate and limit the Bulls’ offense if they wanted to continue alive in the series, and that’s exactly what they did when they stepped on the court. Brooklyn took an early advantage in the game thanks to the effective combination of Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson, who finished the game with 17 points. Deron Williams also contributed to his team victory with 17 points and 11 assists. But probably the most valuable player for Brooklyn during Game 6 was Andray Blatche. He wasn’t a driving force, but was able to lock Brooklyn’s victory in the last minutes of the game. Blatche, who ended the night with 10 points and seven rebounds, netted the last 5 points for Brooklyn. A two-point shot with 1:15 left put the Nets up 92-88, and then he made 1-of-2 free throws with 32 seconds left, putting the score 93-90. His two free throws with 19.2 seconds left put Brooklyn up 95-92.
The Bulls had a last chance to tie the score and get closer to their rival, but the chance vanished when Marco Belinelli missed a three-pointer with 7.9 seconds left in the game. Joakim Noah was able to grab the rebound but lost the ball when he stepped out of bounds.
The Nets will try to do the impossible this Saturday evening when they return home for Game 7, although, they have a tough challenge ahead. Only eight teams overcame a 3-1 deficit to win a playoff series, four of them after 1995. The Houston Rockets beat the Phoenix Suns in the 1995 Western Conference semifinals. The Heat did the same against the New York Knicks in the 1997 Eastern Conference semifinals. The Detroit Pistons also defeated the Orlando Magic in seven games during the 2003 Eastern Conference 1st round. The last team that achieved this accolade was the Phoenix Suns, who defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2006 playoffs.
Game Odds:
Chicago Bulls: +7-110
Brooklyn Nets: -7-110
Game Total: 182.5, o/u-110
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