NEW YORK - The Nets’ first season in Brooklyn goes on, with another victory needed to set up the biggest game here yet.
Brook Lopez had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Deron Williams added 23 points and 10 assists, and the Nets beat Chicago 110-91 on Monday night, cutting the Bulls’ lead to 3-2 in their first-round playoff series.
Andray Blatche scored 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter and Gerald Wallace had consecutive baskets down the stretch as the Nets finally pulled away in a game they led most of the way, but never by too much.
“We came out very aggressive, as we have the past few games. I think the difference was just we sustained it for essentially a full 48 minutes tonight,” Lopez said.
Two days after rallying for a 142-134 triple-overtime victory, the Bulls were outscored 15-1 down the stretch and failed to set up a second-round series with Miami. Instead they will host Game 6 on Thursday.
Nate Robinson had 20 points and eight assists starting in place of point guard Kirk Hinrich, who bruised his left calf in Saturday’s game.
Robinson scored 29 of his 34 points after the third quarter Saturday in a game the Nets led by 14 late in regulation. Coming off his big game and agitating to opposing fans even when he’s struggling, Robinson was loudly booed during introductions, and each time he touched the ball early on.
He made a jumper with 4:17 remaining to cut Brooklyn’s lead to 95-90, but there would be no charge this time. Lopez converted a three-point play, and after a free throw by Jimmy Butler, Wallace made a three-pointer, then came up with a steal and dunk to give the Nets a 103-91 advantage with two minutes to go.
The Nets finished it off with ease, extending their first season in Brooklyn after moving from New Jersey. They would host a Game 7 here Saturday.
Butler scored 18 points for the Bulls, who were out rebounded 44-33 and gave up 24 second-chance points.
“That’s the difference inthe game, the rebounding,” Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau said. “If you defend fairly well and then you give a team a second and a third crack at it, it’s hard to win like that.”
Only eight NBA teams have overcome a 3-1 deficit, but the Nets remained confident after Saturday’s collapse, feeling they had outplayed the Bulls for long stretches during the series. They have led by 10-plus points in four of the five games.
“I believed that we would respond,” Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo said. “We’ve bounced back all year too well, and as disheartening a loss as that was on Saturday, there’s still been enough good minutes in this series. Neither of us are getting away from each other.”HAWKS 102, PACERS 91
ATLANTA - Josh Smith scored 29 points as the Atlanta Hawks built a 17-point lead at halftime, then withstood an Indiana comeback over the final two quarters to even the series in Game 4.
After struggling much of the second half, Smith made every big play down the stretch. He made a rare three-pointer, came up with an offensive rebound to set up a three by Kyle Korver,then finished off a fast break with a right-handed dunk.
Paul George scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half as the Pacers made a game of it but couldn’t come back from a 57-40 deficit at the break.
Tied at two victories apiece, the series returns to Indianapolis for Game 5 on Wednesday night.
ROCKETS 105, THUNDER 103
HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets escaped elimination with a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Chandler Parsons scored 27 points and Patrick Beverley (Arkansas Razorbacks) added 16 points with point guard Jeremy Lin out with a bruised chest muscle. Houston avoided a four-game sweep in the best-of-seven series.
Kevin Durant scored 38 points in Oklahoma City’s second game without injured All-Star guard Russell Westbrook.
Sports, Pages 19 on 04/30/2013