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Dan Peters
Sports Editor
Oak Park
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© Suburban Journals of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
Playoffs?...Rose
& Hinrich Score 69 Bouncing Boston 101-93...Vinny & Pax At Odds
Mark
Rotor
April 13th, 2010
Bulls Playoff Bound?
In front of 20,649 energized fans, the (39-41) Bulls were poised for a
chance to
salvage their season with a win over the Boston Celtics in their final
home game
of the regular season for Chicago. A victory by the Bulls and a loss by
the
Toronto Raptors would guarantee the Bulls a return trip to the playoffs
as the
8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Similarly, the (50-30) Celtics
currently the
4th seed in the east desperately needed a victory to catch the 3rd
place
Atlanta Hawk.
Tonight, the Bulls took care of business slamming the door on the
Celtics 101-93,
ending their aspirations of grabbing the 3rd seed in the playoffs. The
extraordinary
clutch shooting by Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich, combining for
69-points allowed
Chicago to out dual Boston's Paul Pierce and Ray Allen who responded
with 43-points
of their own. "They really caught fire, said Boston's forward Paul
Pierce. "Those
are the two leaders and they are the scores. They stepped up when it
was needed."
The "Pink Elephant In The Room" - Pax & Vinny Confrontation
Overshadowing tonight's game and Chicago's quest for the playoffs, was
a report
by Yahoo!Sports of a physical altercation between Bulls Executive Vice
President
of Operation John Paxton and Head Coach Vinny Del Negro. The
altercation occurred
two-weeks prior in Del Negro's office after a home game against the
Phoenix Suns.
Yahoo sources allege, that Paxson grabbed a hold of Del Negro's tie and
twice
pushed Del Negro's chest. Reportedly, the blow-up was over a breach of
a
management-imposed minute schedule for the injured Joakim Noah who is
recovering
from a plantar fasciitis foot injury.
When asked to comment, Bull's spokesman Tim Hallam said, "This is an
organizational
issue, which we will handle internally."
Kirk
Hinrich In "The Zone" Scores
Two Of His 30-Points On Pierce
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
Photo by Mark Rotor
The Dominating Dual - Rose & Hinrich
Rose and Hinrich combined for a sizzling 26-44 (59%) from the field to
help douse
the hot shooting of Pierce and Allen. Rose scored 39-points, 7-assist
and was 9-10
from the line. Hinrich had 30-points, was 4-out-7 from three-point
range and
handed out 5-assist. Rose and Hinrich each surpassed their previous
season highs of 37-points
(Rose) and 25-points (Hinrich). “I feel I’m doing a better job of
staying in the
flow of the offense,” said Hinrich. "Derrick’s been drawing so much
attention
I’m getting good opportunities and have been able to knock down some
shots.”
Paul Pierce and Ray Allan started a blaze of their own shooting 20-31
(65%) and
scoring a combined total of 43-points. Because of their contributions,
they were
able to take the lead at the end of the 3rd quarter 68-67. "The silver
lining
for me was Paul," said Coach Celtics Doc Rivers. "That's two games in a
row he
was basically unguardable. Going into the playoffs, that is the best
timing we
could have."
Bulls Tandem - Come Out Blazing
Hinrich excited the crowd early by hitting his first two shots
including
a 3-pointer. He was impressive shooting 11-20 (55%) from the field in
his best
offensive performance of the season. Hinrich and Rose's offense was
instrumental
in Chicago recovering from 21-17 first quarter deficit.
Not only did Rose score, but he also entertained with style, unleashing
a
monster reverse power-dunk in the 2nd quarter to the delight of the
crowd.
I’ve been planning that one for about three months,” said Rose. "I did
it to try
and help my teammates get an edge. We are playing in our building and
the crowd
likes to see exciting plays, so why not try.”
By half-time, Chicago was ahead 44-41 out scoring Boston 27-to-21 for
the quarter.
The Bulls took there first lead on a 20-foot jump-shoot by Hinrich
(31-29). He
tallied 10-points in the quarter and was 4-5 from the field. Rose
increase the
lead to 8-points (37-29) with a pull-up jumper and was perfect 3-for-3
from the
field. He was 2-for-2 from the line and scored 8-points in the 2nd
quarter.
Kevin
Garnett Scored 14-Point In Limited Minutes
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
Photo by Mark Rotor
Bulls Matched Boston's Fire-Power In 4th -
Down by one point (67-68) at the beginning of the 4th quarter, Chicago
scored six un-answered points to take the lead 73-68. Rose scored three
out the first four
baskets hitting short range jumpers to increased the lead to 9-points
(81-72).
The Celtics answered back with a quick score but almost immediately,
the Bulls responded to each offensive surge with one of their own.
Nate Robinson came into the game and hit a 3-pointer (81-75) and Rose
reciprocated
by hitting a floating jumper. With 3:33 on the clock, Ray Allan drive
the lane
for a slam-dunk (83-77) but Hinrich answers with a 3-pointer from the
top of the
circle (86-77). Rose didn't miss a shot in the quarter or a free-throw.
Hinrich scored 10-points in the 4th including two 3-pointers in the
last three
minutes to hold-off Boston in the final moments of the game.
Rose & Hinrich Shut The Door On The Celtics
Rose made his shots count delivering on 15-22 (68%) for the night and a
perfect 6-6 from
the field in the 4th quarter scoring 17-points. "We are in a good flow
right now,
" Rose said. "We've got to keep it going."
With 43.7 seconds remaining Bulls up by 5-points (95-88) Hinrich hit
big jumpshot beating the 24-second clock buzzer. He followed it up with
a steal and an assist
to Rose who drove the from half-court and originally intended to dunk
but
settled for a lay-up to break the back the Celtics 97-88 with 26 second
left.
"Rose was spectacular tonight," said Rivers. Him and Hinrich
single-handedly
carried the game for them."
Del
Negro Responds To Questions About The Alleged Altercation
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
Photo by Mark Rotor
Del Negro & Player Respond To Paxton & Del Negro Scuffle
Once the story broke, the media converged on Del Negro and the Bulls
players
for a post game comments about the Paxton and Del Negro altercation.
Coach Del Negro's Response
Del Negro replied after the Celtics game, “All those things are
internal.
I have no comment. Whatever happens between the organization and myself
is internal.
I focus on what I can control, preparation for the game and getting
players ready.
We have been battling a lot of adversity all season. Guys stayed
together,
showed great character and kept on fighting for each other. I go about
my job
every day no matter what happens. I’m a competitor and love competing
and
the challenge and all the other things that happen stay internal.
Luol Deng & Joakim Noah Thoughts About The Controversy
For now, Bulls players seem to unaffected by the controversial
management incident.
“Honestly, I didn’t hear anything about it,” said Deng. “I don’t
think it’s affecting us at all. There’s always going to be news and
that’s
great for you (media). It’s something to write about us."
Noah wants to keep the focus on the game. "I think that's none of your
business," said Noah. "Things happen in a team and an organization.
But that has nothing to do with you guys. We deserve not to have these
problems
talked about right now. We're fighting as players. We're giving
everything we got.
I don't think it's fair for us as players to be talking about that
stuff.
It's nothing. Really, it's nothing."
Doc Rivers Thoughts About Coach Del Negro -
When Doc Rivers was asked to comment about Del Negro coaching abilities
he said,
"I think he's done a very good job" He pointed out that the Bulls
pushed the
Celtics to seven games in the first round of the playoffs last year.
Derrick
Rose Scores A Career High Of 39-Points
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
Photo by Mark Rotor
Note A Bulls
Although, Rose & Hinrich were the only Bulls scoring in double
figures the
contributions of Joakim Noah 16-Rebounds, 9-Points and Luol Deng
12-Rebound,
7-points could not be over looked.
Boston Celtic's All-Star Center and team leader Kevin Garnett a
limmited 28-minutes
scoring 14-points, 9-rebounds and 2-assist. Garnett hit a jumper off
the glass
with 2-minutes in the game but was too little and two late for Boston.
Beat The Bobcats And Get A Playoff Birth
Chicago now travels to Charlotte to play the Bobcats on Wednesday. If
the Bulls win the game they will clinch the 8th playoff spot in the
Eastern
Conference and yes, they meet the 1st place Cleveland Cavaliers who are
on
a mission to give LeBron his first NBA title of his 7-year old career.
Next Bulls Game:
Bulls VS. Charlotte Bobcats
Monday April 14th at 6:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - Comcast Sports Network
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
Photo by Mark Rotor
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