Chicago @ Brooklyn preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 7, 2018 ) Brooklyn 124, Chicago 96

When the Brooklyn Nets visited the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, it was clear which of the two teams playing out the string was more interested in performing well. The Nets will try to follow up a record-setting performance in a rout of the Bulls when the teams meet again Monday in Brooklyn in the second-to-last game of the regular season for both squads.

Quincy Acy had six of the Nets' franchise-record 24 made 3-pointers en route to a career-high 21 points in the 124-96 victory in the Windy City, Brooklyn's fourth win in the last six games. "When we're hot, I feel like we can run with anybody in the gym," Acy told reporters. "And tonight, we got hot." Allen Crabbe hit 5-of-13 3s and Joe Harris was 4-of-5 from long range for the Nets, who bring a 14-26 home record into their finale at the Barclays Center. The Bulls had won three straight before their current two-game slide and will be playing their last road game before hosting Detroit on Wednesday to finish the season.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE BULLS (27-53): Chicago could use another loss or two in order to improve its draft lottery odds but it was not prepared for the embarrassment of Saturday's result. "Tonight was obviously a debacle," coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. "We were stuck in mud from the beginning of that game." Sean Kilpatrick, who was waived by the Nets in December, posted his third straight game of at least 20 points and is averaging 21.7 on 50 percent shooting in that span.

ABOUT THE NETS (27-53): Only Houston attempts more 3-pointers per game than Brooklyn (35.5) and Acy fits well in their long-range attack, having taken 285 of his 355 shots this season from beyond the arc. "He's our bench leader, a great guy," coach Kenny Atkinson told the media of Acy, who had offseason ankle surgery and has played through groin and finger injuries as well. "I think he hasn't been fully healthy and he's played through a lot." The Nets also did some nice things on the defensive end and recorded their first game all season in which they had double digits in both blocks and steals.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls PF Bobby Portis averages 14.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals as a starter.

2. Crabbe needs 12 made 3-pointers in the final two games to become the first Net to hit 200 in a season.

3. Brooklyn's average margin of victory in the first two meetings is 22.5.

PREDICTION: Nets 112, Bulls 102