Bulls at Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are in position to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference for the second straight season despite missing superstar Kevin Durant all season and getting 20 games out of All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, but something wasn't right with the team. The Nets will be playing under the guidance of interim coach Jacque Vaughn when they host the Chicago Bulls on Sunday after mutually agreeing to part ways with coach Kenny Atkinson on Saturday.
Brooklyn is sitting in the No. 7 spot in the East and won two of its last three games, including a 139-120 home triumph over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, but still decided to make the move at the head coach. "After discussions with Kenny about the progress of the season, we mutually agreed that a coaching change would be in the best interest of the team," general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. "This was an extremely difficult decision, however the organization believes it is one that is necessary at this time." The Bulls are sticking by head coach Jim Boylen despite heading for a third straight playoff-less finish and a persistent injury bug that most recently claimed leading scorer Zach LaVine (quad). Chicago will play three of its next four on the road after dropping a 108-102 decision at home to the Indiana Pacers on Friday and has not won a road game since knocking off Cleveland on Jan. 25.
TIME: 3 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS Chicago, YES, NBA TV Canada
ABOUT THE BULLS (21-42): Chicago is focusing on development the rest of the way and is getting strong performances from rookie guard Coby White and journeyman Shaquille Harrison, who is getting a chance to shine with LaVine out. White is averaging 27.7 points over the last seven games while Harrison scored a career-high 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting in Friday's setback. "I was undrafted, had only a couple of offers out of high school," Harrison told reporters. "I'm always the last guy they're looking at. I know I have to make an impression in the one opportunity or chance I get. It's nothing unusual or new for me. I take pride in that. A lot of guys can't do that."
ABOUT THE NETS (28-34): Atkinson went 118-190 in three-plus seasons as Brooklyn coach while overseeing a rebuilding project that has the team on the verge of making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since a three-season run from 2013-15. Atkinson has also overseen the development of players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Joe Harris, who combined for 66 points on 25-of-43 shooting in Friday's triumph. "I am extremely grateful to Kenny Atkinson for what he's done for our franchise over the years," owner Joe Tsai tweeted Saturday morning. "If we did not have him, we would not be where we are with promising young guys still improving. All the best Kenny."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Bulls PF Lauri Markkanen was held to three points on 1-of-10 shooting Friday.
2. LeVert recorded his first career triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on Friday.
3. Brooklyn took each of the first two meetings this season, including a 133-118 home triumph in the most recent matchup on Jan. 31.