NBA Playoffs 2013: Bulls Fend Off Nets’ Late Rally; Take 2-1 Series Lead [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng each chalked up double-doubles as the Chicago Bulls fashioned out a hard-fought 79-76 win over the Brooklyn Nets to take 2-1 series advantage in their Eastern Conference first-round series at the United Center on Thursday.

The Bulls were at it once again, unleashing their suffocating defense to the opposing teams before finishing them off with clutch baskets down the stretch.   

The physicality and aggressive mindset of the Bulls defense has again given headaches to the Nets for the second straight game.

The Nets, who shot below 35 percent in Game 3, got a steady point production from Joe Johnson (15 points), Deron Williams (18 points) and Brook Lopez (22 points) but couldn't squeezed out enough help from their bench.

Chicago, on the other hand, opened up the game like a raging Bulls as they outscored the Nets through the first three quarter before foiling a comeback run in the fourth.

With Derrick Rose still sitting out on the bench, the Bulls leaned on good ball distribution and excellent interior defense to control the tempo early on.

The Bulls' lead even ballooned to 16 points at the break but the Nets just won't back down easily.

Lopez, who averaged 21 points and 7 rebounds in the series, scored 10 of his total output in the fourth to spark a huge comeback run late. The Nets managed to erase the Bulls' double-digit lead and even kept themselves within two points, 78-76, following a jumper from Williams with five seconds remaining in the clock.

The Nets even had a chance to send the game into overtime after Joakim Noah split his free-throws to give the Bulls a three-point cushion.

But Brooklyn just couldn't pull off a crucial play as the Bulls defense forced C.J Watson missed a potential game-tying 24-foot jumper.

With the victory, the Bulls assumed control in the best-of-seven series and have a chance to even pad their lead to 3-1 on Saturday at United Center.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Check here for the game's highlights via NBA.com - Click Here