Bulls beat Nets 99-93 in Game 7

Joakim Noah helps Bulls beat Nets 99-93 in Game 7 for spot against Miami

5/4/2013

Brooklyn Nets forward Gerald Wallace dunks to score against the Chicago Bulls during the first half in Game 7 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series in New York, Saturday, May 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Joakim Noah had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Marco Belinelli also scored 24 points and the Chicago Bulls beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-93 tonight in Game 7 of their first-round series.

Carlos Boozer added 17 points as the Bulls shook off injuries to two starters and every run the Nets tried to make in the second half to win a Game 7 on the road for the first time in franchise history. They advanced to a second-round series against defending champion Miami that starts Monday night.

The Bulls opened a 17-point halftime lead with a rare offensive outburst, and found a way to get big baskets every time the Nets pulled close to win the NBA’s only do-or-die game of the first round.

Deron Williams had 24 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Nets. They were trying to become the ninth NBA team to win a series after trailing 3-1.