|
|
 
 
Dan Peters
Sports Editor
Oak Park
Journal
|
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
"New Look Bulls"…Get New Results....
Chicago Bulls Blows-Out Orlando Magic 120-102
By
Mark Rotor
February 24th, 2009
Sweet Revenge!
The last time Orlando met the Bulls the outcome wasn't pretty
for Chicago. On New Years Eve the Bulls suffered an
embarrassing loss to the Orlando Magic 119-94. In the game,
Chicago’s inability to match Orlando’s intensity and offensive
firepower giving-up 11 three-pointers allowing the Magic to domination
the game from the tip-off till the final buzzer. After the
loss, it would have been difficult to image Chicago turning
the tables against the division leading (41-14) Magic but the
new improved Bulls extracted revenge on Tuesday night crushing
the Magic 120-102.
Trade Talks and New Faces
Much has changed since Chicago last played Orlando with both
teams making trades to improve their rosters. On February 18th
with less than 24 hours before the trading deadline, the Bulls
re-acquired veteran Brad Miller a 7-foot passing Center with
a mid-range jump shoot and added Forward John Salmons averaging
18-point per game. The move bolsters Chicago’s front court
scoring while in return, Chicago sent four players to the Sacramento
Kings notably (Center/Forward) Dwight Gooden and fan favorite
(Forward) Andres Nocioni.
Orlando short handed with a season ending shoulder injury
to All-Star point-guard Jameer Nelson pulled the trigger
on a trade with the Houston Rockets acquiring point-guard
Rafer Alston for a 2009 first round draft pick. The move
gave the Magic an experienced play making guard for the
remainder of the season and the playoffs.
Since the trade Chicago has a 2-1 record with victories over
Milwaukee and Denver, two teams contending for a playoff positions.
So far, the addition of the new players energized Chicago as
was witnessed by the Orlando Magic in 120-102 blow-out loss to
the impressive Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.
New Arrivals John Salmons
and Brad Miller Talk it Over with Coach
©
Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
The "New Look” Bulls
Chicago returned to the United Center for their first home since the trade.
The “New Look” Bulls which also includes the team’s final veteran acquisition,
3-point shooter Tim Thomas returning for his 2nd tour with the Bulls.
In the deal, Chicago sent disgruntle veteran guard Larry Hughes to the
NY Knicks in exchange for forward Thomas and guard Anthony Robertson.
Magic must have been salivating with a chance to play a team with a
losing record of 25-31 that they had defeated twice this season but to
their surprise the Bull’s new reinforcements came to play and made a
startling difference in the outcome of the game.
Courtney Lee Tightly Defended
by New Bull John Salmonds
©
Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Shooting The Lights Out!
The Bulls apparently called in the S.W.A.T. team with marksmen
like shooting in a highly contested 1st quarter that included six lead
changes and four ties. Chicago traded baskets with Orlando’s
potent offense matching their intensity while out shooting
the Magic by 56% to 47% from the field. Chicago won the first
quarter skirmish taking the lead at the end of the quarter 30-27.
Ben Gordon scored 10-points on red hot shooting from 20-foot range
while Luol Deng unloaded for 8-points. “Everybody was a threat out there
tonight and that's the way we have to play” said Gordon.
Orlando’s big man, the rising 6’ 10” and 230 pounds star-star Dwight Howard
answered the challenge scoring 13-points in the first quarter
with low-post moves against the physically over matched
Joakim Noah. However, momentum shifted from the Magic
back to Chicago as the sizzling shooting exhibition by the Bulls
continued. “They were on fire. It started with Derrick Rose; he hit a lot of
open shots and Ben Gordon was lighting it up. We tried a lot of
different schemes but it didn't work tonight.” said Howard.
Orlando's All-Star Dwight Howard in Pre-Game
©
Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
New Guys and New Team Chemistry
The pieces fell in place for Chicago as they began to take control
of the game early in the 2nd quarter with contributions by each of
the new arrivals. John Salmons made his presences felt with
two rebounds and an assist to newcomer Tim Thomas.
Terrific ball movement and good floor spacing allowed the Bulls
to attack Orlando from long range with shooting from Derrick Rose,
Kirk Hinrich, Tyrus Thomas and three 3-pointers from Tim Thomas.
He ended the quarter with 8-points, 3-3 from the field
and one assist.
“There are guys on this team who know how to play this game.
Because of the young guys on this team, the older guys have to
come in and bring energy. This was definitely a confidence builder
tonight. If we play the way we did tonight, good things will
happen.” said Tim Thomas.
The Bulls finished the quarter with a bang with baskets from reserve
center Brad Miller to lead the Magic 63-54 at half time. “We
had a good solid performance from start to finish. Our ball
movement was real good, especially in the first half. Everybody
contributed.” said Head Coach Del Negro.
Miller Shows He's Got The Hops To Get the Job Done
©
Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Slaying the Magic
Orlando wouldn't quite with strong play from Orlando’s shooting
guard Courtney Lee scoring 12-points keeping the Magic close
in the 3rd quarter 87-82. However, the Magic could not silence
the spectacular offensive display of Derrick Rose shooting
7 of 9 and scoring 14-points in the 4th quarter. Rose punished
many of the Magic's defenders with his powerful scoring drives to the hoop
finishing the night with 22-points.
It was the play of Salmons and Gordon that broke
the Magic’s back mid-way in the 4th quarter as Salmons drove
up the center of the lane taking JJ. Redic to the rim
scoring on a spectacular left-handed flip-shot at a pivotal moment
in the game giving Chicago a 97-89 lead. Ben Gordon followed suite with
a fade away jumper to break Orlando’s back. Salmons ended the night
with 17-points and Gordon with 20-points on 9 of 14 shooting an
amazing 64% from the field.
“We knew coming into this game that the Bulls were a much better
team. They run a lot harder. We weren't ready for their intensity
tonight. We were frustrated and had a lot of turnovers. To build a
championship caliber team, we have to keep our turnover ratio down.
Tonight it was turnover after turnover. They were hitting shots and
when they're hitting shots and we're turning the ball over it's not
good. “said Howard.
With 5 minutes left in the game Joakim Noah put an exclamation point
on the evening with a slam-dunk giving Chicago an 18-point lead and
appeared breaking Orlando's spirit. Bulls coasted to a 120-102 victory.
Lovabull - "Dasha" Celebrates Stunning Bull's Victory
©
Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
On the Road Again
Now that Chicago has revenge their previous loss to Orlando and have
now won their last 3-4 games the Bulls will take it on the road
on a mini two game road trip starting Wednesday in New Jersey followed
by a game with the Wizards in Washington DC on Friday. Chicago's road
record at 10-20 must improve if they are compete for the last
playoff position in their division. But as Vinny Del Negro said "Sometimes
it is going to be your night and sometimes not. That is what it is all
about being a team, about putting the team before yourself." Let hope
the reconstituted "New Look" will be able to play committed basketball
and grab much needed victories on the road.
Past Sports News
Local
Sports and
Teams
|
o0
|
