The struggling New Jersey Nets are 8-17 and have lost four of their last five games. The Nets figure to have their hands full Monday night at the Prudential Center (7:30 p.m. ET/YES) when the Central Division leading Chicago Bulls (20-6) roll into the Prudential Center.
MVP Derrick Rose is averaging 23.6 points and 8.2 assists per game for Chicago. Luol Deng is the team’s second-leading scorer at 16.2 points per game.
Point guard Deron Williams is averaging 20.2 points and 8.8 assists per game for NewJersey.
MarShon Brooks (toe), Mehmet Okur (back) and DeShawn Stevenson (knee) are also out for the Nets.
Nets coach Avery Johnson has used 12 different starting lineups in the first 25 games this season. The Nets are tied with Toronto for last in the Atlantic Division and will play two in a row and four of the next five games at home. They own a 3-7 record in Newark, NJ this season and are just 6-12 versus the East.