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Dan Peters
Sports Editor
Oak Park
Journal
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© Suburban Journals of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
Bulls
Throw A Surprise Party At The Garden...Celtics Defeated 96-83
By
Mark Rotor
January 14th, 2010
Bulls Ambush Celtics & Grab A Road Win!
Yes, without Ben Gordon and with a (16-20) loosing record the Bulls
definitively proved that on a good day David can beat Goliath even when
Goliath
is playing at home. Chicago upset the Eastern Conference leader (27-10)
Celtics
at home 96-83. The Bulls handed the Celtics only their 2nd loss this
season at the Garden.
It's True, the Celtics were without all-start center Kevin Garnet and
back-up Rasheed Wallace
however, even without those players Boston still presents a formidable
line-up
including Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and a 3-point assassin Ray Alan.
Early in the contest Chicago took control of the Celtics scoring in the
paint
while out hustings Boston to the ball. Derrick Rose scored in the lane
on
multiple opportunities while matched-up with Rajon Rondo. Chicago shot
57% in the quarter
and 45% for the game. Loul Deng was Chicago's leading scorer with
16-points at
the half. While Joakim Noah continues to be extremely active on the
boards taking
advantage of the Celtics under sized defense grabbing 11-boards and
15-points.
Chicago keep the advantage throughout leading by 11-points at end of
the 1st quarter
29-18 and at the half with an 8-point lead (47-39).
However, Chicago's offensive opportunities wouldn't have clicked
without
their aggressive defense led by Noah and resulted in a 50-39 rebound
advantage.
Boston was without Kevin Garnet due to a strained right knee started
Brian Scalabrini
in his place. Scalabrini a 3-point threat had only limited ability to
defend
Chicago"s big men. Coach Doc Rivers encouraged his players from the
bench to
pick-up their energy on defense and crash the boards or "It's gonna be
a
long night". River's words were prophetic as it turned out to be a
tough
night for the Celtics who struggled to sustain their offense and to
deny
Chicago second chance rebound baskets.
Rajon
Rondo Scores 15-points
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
Defense!...Defense!...Defense!
"Defense!...Defense!" is the chant you will hear at any NBA game at
key moments late in the contest but in this game, Chicago let their
defense do
the talking as they blocked 10-shots, forced 18-turnovers and captured
35 defensive
rebounds leading to additional scoring opportunities.Chicago scored
18-points in the paint in the first quarter alone. Boston only
opportunity for
a lead was when they scored the first basket of the game and once
Chicago took the
lead at 4-2 they never relinquished the lead.
Shooting Stars
Besides Chicago's Derrick Rose offensive punch, Loul Deng led all
scores with
25-points and 9 rebounds. Deng hit mid-range jump-shots throughout the
game
and shot lofty (8-13) 62% to help hold-off the charging Celtics in the
2nd half.
Noah finished with 14-points and said "We played very well tonight,
it's always tough
to get a win in this building even without K.G. (Kevin Garnet) and
Rasheed (Wallace). This is a very
good team with a lot of weapons. We stayed on edge and came-up with a
huge win for us."
Paul Pierce shot an anemic 6-18 from the field but led the Celtics with
20-points. However,
it was not enough as only three other teammates scored in doubled
figures: Rajon Rando 15, Kevin Perkins 14-points and Eddie House
11-points.
Coach Del Negro said, "They (Celtics) made their run and we keep on
attacking with the the high screen role inside
and other sets that got Loul (Deng) open. You just have to make plays.
We got some stops
when we need to and they didn't hurt us with 3-pointers."
Rose
Scores 17-Points & 4th Qtr. Points In The Clutch
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
The Final Dagger
Rose's 17-points and 10-points in the final quarter came at the right
time as the
Celtics cut the lead to 8-points on three occasions and each time Rose
answered with
a layup leaving Boston down with final time with a 1:48 remaining with
the Bulls
leading 90-80.
Rose said, "It was probably the most complete game we played all year
as we were controlling
it (the game). It is something that we have been working on. We are a
young team and were
trying to compete know"
Rose and his team mates were rewarded for their complete game winning
their 4th game of the season on the road and will have ample
opportunity to improve the road
record as they travel for two week as the ice show comes to the United
Center as
of Saturday.
Next Bulls Game:
Bulls Host Washington Wizards
Monday January 15th at 7:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000 & 1200 AM
TV - WCIU
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
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