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© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
“King”
James & Cavs Shocked By "Sir" Derrick & the Bulls...... Chicago
Wins 102-93 in O.T.
By
Mark Rotor
Shock, Awe and Excitement At The United Center
The word surprise probably grossly understates the emotions of
the
21,297 in attendance at the United Center as they watched
the team
with the best record in the NBA the Cleveland Cavilers (30-6)lose to
the Chicago Bulls, a team that a week prior was defeated by
the worst team in the league the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Chicago's
Derrick Rose was Eager to Face LeBron & Company
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
What Gives?
A national TV audience (TNT Network) with renown broadcaster Marv
Albert and
former Indiana Pacer star Reggie Miller were on hand in Chicago
on a fidget -8 degree evening to witness the single most talented
player
in the NBA LeBron James compare skills with Bulls rookie sensation
Derrick Rose. Expectation of many of the media in attendance believed
that the Eastern conference leading Cavilers would easily dictate
the final score as the young Bulls team with a 17-21 record would
surly be defeated by the best team in
the east.
What Happened?
The return of Drew Gooden, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich from
the
injured reserve helped ignite defensive intensity
and offensive fire-power that allowed Chicago to compete thought-out
regulation and provided a boost during the over-time.
Combined with the fact that the Cavilers would start the night minus
starters Ben Wallace and Zydrunas Ilguskas due to injury, the Cavs
would be at a disadvantage beginning the game with back-ups Anderson
Varejao and Lorenzen Wright. Adding insult to injury,
Cavilers would lose their starting guard Delonte West to an injury and
would be
with out West services for the rest of the game. The resulting injuries
left Cleveland three starters down and under-manned as they continued
towards the overtime period.
Bull's Kirk Hinrich & Andres Nocioni Provide a Spark from the Bench
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Would Chicago Out Play the Cavs?
The hot shooting of Delonte West helped provide a spark to
the Cavilers that shot a sparkling 60% from the field. West
hit 5-7 from the field scoring 11 points to lead Cleveland.
Overall, LeBron had a solid quarter as he was 4-8 shooting
from the field, scoring from both outside as well as taking
it to the rim.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, they were shaky on both offense
shooting just 9-24 (37.5%) and defensively with Ben Gordon
unable to harness the explosive Delonte West. As seems to be the
pattern for most first quarter's played this season, the Bulls were
down early by double-digits (10 points) and ended the quarter
trailing by a score of 28-20.
Of course, the defensive match-up with LeBron is problematic for
any team as was the case with Luol Deng drawing “King” James
assignment.
To the Deng's and Bull credit, they did provided various types
defensive
team help against James that limited the most dominant player in the
league
to a mortal 9-points tally for
the quarter.
6'1"
Mo Williams Plays Big for Cavs Scoring 26-points
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
So how Did Chicago Slay Goliath?
The turning point of the contest occurred late in the
1st quarter as the red hot Delonte West had to leave the
game due to an injury. With 1:30 minute remaining in
the 1st quarter, West collided with the Bull's Derrick
Rose under Chicago's basket while attempting to block
Rose’s shot. West plummeted to the court hitting Rose in the
head with his foot and injuring his hand. Once West exited the game the
Cavaliers were no longer same aggressive offense and would have to play
the remaining regulation and over-time
without three of their starters.
Running With Bulls
Bulls took charge in the 2nd quarter as LeBron James
rested on the bench as the Cavs shooting went cold allowing
Chicago a 12-point scoring run. After beginning down (20-31) Chicago
seized the lead on a Drew Gooden tip-in giving the Bulls
a 34-33 advantage with 7:40 remaining in the quarter.
The run began with a slam-dunk from Andres Nocioni followed
in secession by two 3-pointers from Sefolosha and Hinrich that
turned the momentum early. In the quarter Chicago scored four
3-point plays but ended the quarter down two as LeBron returned
scoring
4 points at the end of the half. “It was a very
competitive game all night. They kept coming at us and I
thought our guys really responded well. We had a lot of good
performances.” said Coach Del Negro.
Clutch
Shooting!..Bull's Thabo Safolosha Drains a Three
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Chicago’s Turing Point
Cleveland and Chicago limped through the 3rd quarter tying the
game 4 times and exchanging lead twice. With the Bulls down by
three points (68-71) with 36 seconds left in the quarter, Hinrich
drove to the hoop kicking back the ball to an open Thabo Sefolosha
for clutch 3-pointer ending the 3rd at 71-71 all.
Finishing Strong
Although Cleveland’s #23 launched jump shots and attempt
layups he couldn’t get his shots to fall. LeBron went 4-17
in 4th quarter scoring a minuscule 4 points as the Cavaliers
could not break the
tie and were dead-locked at 87-87 at the
end of regulation.
“It's tough out there when you can't breathe. I missed layups
and put-backs as I had no lift in my legs. We're a team and
we win and we lose as a team.” said James.
Mo Williams attempted to pick-up the scoring slack left by
team James, and pored in 26 points 9-16 from the field to
keep the Cavs in the game.
LeBron
4-17 from Field 4th Quarter Draws Foul-Shots
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Note-A-Bulls: Derrick's Dominance
Rookie phenom Derrick Rose took over the game with
5 minutes in regulation as he drove to the hoop
scored and was fouled tying the game at 82 all. Rose
would finish the quarter with 7-points scoring on two
key positions late in the game ultimately tying the
score.
Rose finished the game scoring 16-points
shooting 6-20 (30%) from the field. “My teammates
wanted me to shoot and I was trying to get us to
move the ball and get my teammates open shots as
well.
It was fun. That's a really good team and
we moved the ball and got some good things done
tonight.” said Rose.
Tonight,
Cav's LeBron James is Out Shined by Bull's Derrick Rose"
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
What about the All Planet “King” James?
Cleveland’s super hero LeBron James, scored 28-points, 11
rebounds and 7 assist on the evening which for almost any
player in the NBA would be a tremendous performance however,
according to James this game was one he would like to forget.
“This was my worst game of the season. We gave ourselves a
chance to win in regulation. Yes, I was sick tonight. When
I get sick like that I miss layups and put-backs." said James.
"They say all teams go through it (injuries) but for some odd reason
our team goes through it a little different every year. We don't
have guys going out for 2 or 3 days we have guys like Delonte
who there is no telling how long he will be out while “Z” (Ilguskas)
and Ben (Wallace) has been out for a while."
James also commented on the loss of 3 starters to the line-up.
“We're a team and we win and we lose as a team. Coach doesn't
have to take the blame for the loss. It's easy to ask what
can we do to make up for “Z” (Ilguskas) out, Ben (Wallace)
out and now Delonte. Guys having to step up it’s easy to
say but it is tough when you have three starters absolutely
out of your lineup."
“That is just a part of basketball. We just have to have
the other guys step up. Tonight I rode some guys for too
long which is something you can have a tendency to do when
an injury like that occurs.” said Cavaliers Head Coach
Mike Brown.
Hustle
Wasn't the Problem as LeBron Hits the Deck in the 2nd Half
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Prime Time on TNT – The Over-Time
With a national TV audience Chicago made their 5th appearance
in overtime this season and made the best of the opportunity
by outscoring the Cavilers
by 15-6.
A key moment in the O.T. occurred with four minutes remaining as
Hinrich
and Deng each drilled a 3-pointer giving Chicago an eight point lead
96-87 lead. Chicago continued to dominate Cleveland as the Bulls when
on a
11-2 run winning by a final score of 102-93.
Rose
On the Line When it Counts in 4th Quarter!
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Two Wins In A Row – Can Chicago Make Three?
Chicago has won their last two games including the win against
Toronto Raptors on Thursday. Chicago has not won two consecutive games
since March of 2007. “We needed this win tonight. We need to go on a
little winning streak. We haven't had one in so long. We really need
to make that happen.” said Derrick Rose.
Chicago will get their chance to pick-up their next win as they will
play 3 games in 5 nights starting with San Antonio Spurs at home
followed by a day game in N.Y. and home game versus the Atlanta Hawks.
Although inconstancy has been the rule for the Bulls this season,
Chicago fans can only hope that the Bulls are able to turn the page
and surprise the Spurs with the same brand of aggressive intense play
witnessed during the Cleveland game.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Next Bulls Game:
Home VS. San Antonio
Saturday January 17th at 7:30PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - Comcast Chicago Sportsnet
Away VS. New York
Monday January 19th at 12:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - WGN
Home VS. Atlanta
Tuesday January 20th at 7:30PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - Comcast Chicago Sportsnet
Home VS. Toronto
Friday January 23rd at 7:30PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - Comcast Chicago Sportsnet
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
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