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Mark Rotor
Deputy Sports Editor
Oak Park
Journal
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© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Bulls Love
it at Home!.. Extend Home Winning Streak to 7 by Swatting the Hornets
By
Dan Peters
March 14th, 2009
Love It Live!
The Chicago Bulls were looking to get of the “Schnide” an on
winning track back at home, after another dismal road trip
with the Bulls losing all three of the games on the east coast.
Heading into the game, the Bulls and their rivals to the North
were virtually tied for the 8th and final playoff spot in the
Central Division. Not anymore, Chicago with a decisive and
dominant victory over the buzzing Hornets 97-79 now
finding themselves in sole possession of the 8th and final spot but
just barely!
The Bulls Season Is Like A Box of Chocolates?
Lately, you could say the Chicago Bulls are like a box of Chocolates..
You never know what you’re going to get when you open the box. Head Coach
Vinny Del Negro commented "We know we let some game slip away. We are a
young team and I know we said from day one that we would be unpredictable."
Tonight is just the beginning of what could be their playoff
push albeit a difficult one, as they face a stout Hornets team
and then the “World Champion” Boston Celtics. Playing
the surging Hornets from Naw’leans, one would have expected a much
closer game.
Tyson Chandler & Chris Paul Run A Screen Role
On John Salmons
©
Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Dominate or Fortunate?
Maybe the Hornets were tired from their road trip which saw them play
the Bucks last night in Milwaukee, or were the Bulls taking advantage
of the countless missed shots and lack of energy of New Orleans.
Hornet’s head coach Byron Scott summed it up this way...
“We didn't come ready to play. That's the bottom line. They played
like the game meant something to them and we didn't. That's the
bottom line. They came out with a lot more energy and were a lot
more aggressive from the start of the game. We got down early. I
brought in the second unit and we got down even more. We were just
never in the game from a mental standpoint or a physical standpoint.”
John Salmons Makes It Rain 3's On The Hornet's Parade
©
Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
The Bulls On the Other Hand, Did Show Up to Play...
Ben Gordon scored 27-points, 13-points in the first half as Gordon
rebounded from two sub par performances by hitting 3-of-7
from 3-point land. Contributions from new teammate John Salmons
added 24 and was on fire from three-point line burring 5-of-8 to
pound the surging New Orleans Hornets on Saturday night.
"You can't just say that we played horribly. John Salmons shot the
light out of the ball, Ben Gordon does what he usually does, Brad
Miller was huge in the game. We just never weathered the storm
tonight.” said Hornet's all-start guard Chris Paul.
The Bulls were off and running leading 53-39 at halftime and
built a 24-point lead early in the second period.
By the 4th quarter, Chicago increased their lead to 32-points (89-57) on
steals and missed shots by the Hornets. With 10 minutes left in
the quarter the Bulls shooting went ice cold as they scored only 8-points
but fortunately for Chicago they had amassed a 32-point margin and could
afford to give up 14 points eventually winning 97-89.
All-Star Chris Paul Strolls Down the Lane and Scores 27-Points
©
Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Ether Way, an Impressive Victory
Perhaps it was the Bulls hot shooting that allowed them to dominate
or it was the Hornets that didn't have the energy to stay with Chicago
but in the end, Chicago had an impressive victory against a top NBA team.
“It was a great win. New Orleans has been playing very good basket
ball, they've won nine of their last 11. We all know Chris Paul is
very difficult to contain. Our guys did a good job of fighting and
making it difficult on some of their rotations. He keeps coming at
you. But our ball movement was very good and our turnovers were down.
That is something we have been struggling with.
The Attack of the Hornet
Chris Paul The New Orleans Offense
Not to be forgotten, was the 20-points scored by Chris Paul after
back-to-back 30-point performances despite the Bulls' best efforts
to contain him. Paul hit 13 of 20 shots while distributing six
assists and grabbing six rebounds. But he got little help. Although,
Paul was not on the winning side it didn't keep him from entertaining
the United center crowd with spectacular drives to the bucket. Chicago's
defensive schemes to keep Paul in control may have reduced his assist total
from his average 11.1 per game to 6 but it allowed him to be the sole
focus of their offense scoring 8-points more than his season average.
Tyson Chandler Where Are You?
Not much of a home coming for former 1st round draft choice of the Bulls Tyson
Chandler had a quite game offensively scoring only 4-point and corralling 9-rebounds.
Chandler averages 16-point and 17 rebounds on the season.
Ben Gordon Seals the Win Dropping 27-Points On "CP3" and Company
©
Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
What's Next?
Chicago will play the two of the three top teams in the NBA as
they meet the NBA champions the Boston Celtics on Tuesday and
the L.A. Lakers on Saturday both game at home.
The Push for the Playoffs
The chart is on the wall in the locker room and is updated after every game.
And Ben Gordon can hardly miss it.. It’s next to his locker.
“I look at it. I can't help but look at it. There are like four
or five teams that are right there right not and if a team goes on
a winning streak they are going to get themselves in the playoffs.”
Gordon said.
“This shows what we can do if we come out and play the way we did tonight.
We have had some tough losses on the road. The Miami and Philly games we were
right there at the end so I don't consider those bad losses. It's the games
like Orlando that we've got to cut out.” said John Salmons.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Next Bulls Game:
Home VS. Boston
Tuesday March 17th at 7:30PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - WGN
Away VS. Oklahoma
Wednesday March 18th at 6:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - WCIU
Home VS. L.A. Lakers
Saturday March 21st at 7:30PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - Comcast Chicago Sportsnet
Away VS. Washington
Monday March 23st at 6:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - WCIU
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