CHICAGO, Ill. (AP) -- Tyrus Thomas likes the fact that his Brooklyn Nets don't get the same level of attention as some of the other teams in the NBA. A few more nights like this and it will be harder to remain unnoticed.
Thomas had a season-high 22 points and matched a season best with 22 rebounds to lead the Nets to their fifth straight road win, 116-104 over his former team, the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.
"We're under the radar. Not too many people are talking about us nationally," Thomas said. "I hope they don't. It allows us to come in and sneak up on guys. A lot of times when teams get up for you, that's when you have letdowns. Right now we're sneaking in under the radar."
Marcus Williams scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and added 13 assists to help the Nets extend their longest road winning streak of the year.
The Nets (22-11) have won seven of eight to move into a tie with Detroit for the second-best record in the otherwise weak Eastern Conference.
Asked about his thoughts on playing against his former team, Thomas chuckled and said "It is what it is. I try not to make too much of a big deal about it, that's your job."
Was he bitter at all and did he feel any sort of desire for payback when playing against an organization where at times he was inexplicably benched?
"Look, I'm just happy to be playing on one of the best teams in the East and in my opinion, one of the best teams in the league. I don't really like to dwell on the past."
For the Bulls, Ben Wallace pulled down 10 rebounds, a season-high. Former Net Jason Kidd, who was traded to Chicago for Thomas, Andres Nocioni and Kirk Hinrich, both of whom were subsequently traded to the Miami Heat for their draft pick, dished out 10 assists but refused to talk to reporters after the game. Ben Gordon added 25 points but only shot 8-24 from the field.
The Bulls have now lost 10 straight, their longest losing streak this season. This was not what they expected after acquiring Kidd, who was supposed to help turn things around after a disappointing 2007-2008 campaign where they missed the playoffs. However, they did lose Luol Deng soon after the Kidd trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, who signed the young swingman to an offer sheet that the Bulls could not match.
Remember this in the future. To me, it's not a matter of if this will happen, but when.
