Nic Claxton delivered a dominant performance with 28 points and 10 rebounds, leading the Brooklyn Nets to a 123-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
Noah Clowney added 20 points as Brooklyn won its second straight and took three of four meetings this season between the rebuilding Eastern Conference rivals. Drake Powell chipped in 14 points off the bench, rookies Danny Wolf and Nolan Traore scored 13 apiece, and Ziaire Williams finished with 11.
Chicago dropped its fifth consecutive game despite 23 points from Anfernee Simons. Collin Sexton provided a spark off the bench with 19 points, and Matas Buzelis added 18.
Brooklyn appeared in control early in the second half, opening the third quarter with a 14-5 run over the first three minutes to stretch its lead to 74-59. The Bulls answered emphatically, however, closing the quarter on a 30-15 surge to erase the deficit and knot the game at 89 entering the fourth.
Two free throws by Isaac Okoro two minutes into the final period gave Chicago its first lead since early in the second quarter at 93-91. The Nets quickly responded, using a 12-6 run over the next three minutes to reclaim the lead at 103-99.
The teams traded baskets down the stretch, but Brooklyn delivered the decisive sequence. Wolf’s layup with 3:33 remaining was followed by two Claxton free throws on the next possession, pushing the Nets’ advantage to 115-107 and sealing the outcome.
Both teams were short-handed. Brooklyn played without leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. (right knee tendinitis) and rookie guard Egor Demin (rest). Chicago was without Zach Collins (sprained right toe), Josh Giddey (strained left hamstring), Tre Jones (strained left hamstring) and Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery).
Up next:
Bulls at Boston on Wednesday night.
Nets host Indiana on Wednesday night.
