When: October 28, 2015; 7:30 PM EST
Where: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES Network
Radio: WFAN
It’s finally here. After months of waiting and an offseason filled with old player departures and new arrivals, the Brooklyn Nets’ 2015-16 regular season is here. To start off their slate of games, the Nets — without Deron Williams, Alan Anderson, Mirza Teletovic and Mason Plumlee — will host the Chicago Bulls, who won their own season opener last night at home over LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jarrett Jack (hamstring) — who is expected to be the starting point guard for Brooklyn at least for the start of the season — is out tonight, on his 32nd birthday no less, meaning free agent signee Shane Larkin will get the start. Another offseason addition, Wayne Ellington, will start at shooting guard over the incumbent Bojan Bogdanovic, who has struggled at times this preseason. The rest of the Nets’ starters are the same as last season.
For the Bulls, the top five looks a little different than it did in the 2014-15 campaign. Center Joakim Noah is now coming off the bench as veteran Pau Gasol starts. Second- and third-year guys, Nikola Mirotic and Tony Snell, round out the frontcourt while stars Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler make up the backcourt.
Rose, limited to just 100 regular season games the last three seasons due to various injuries, suffered a facial injury in the preseason, leading some people to think he would miss the start of the regular season. However, he played last night in Chicago, scoring 18 points and notching five assists even as he had trouble seeing out of one of his eyes. He’s expected to play tonight in Brooklyn for the Bulls and new head coach, and former NBA player, Fred Hoiberg.
Probable lineups
CHI- Derrick Rose (PG), Jimmy Butler (SG), Tony Snell (SF), Nikola Mirotic (PF), Pau Gasol (C)
BKN- Shane Larkin (PG), Wayne Ellington (SG), Joe Johnson (SF), Thaddeus Young (PF), Brook Lopez (C)
Final thoughts
Without Jack against a difficult Bulls team, the Nets aren’t facing the most optimal matchup in their season, and home, opener. But, with the Bulls having played last night halfway across the country, Brooklyn could catch Chicago tired and possibly steal a much-desired win at Barclays.
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