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Dan Peters
Sports Editor
Oak Park
Journal
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© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Dan Peters
January 23, 2009
Raptors
Crush Bulls 114-94...Chicago Loses in a 4th Quarter Meltdown
By
Mark Rotor & Dan Peters
Great Expectations!
The 20,886 fans at the United Center were eagerly awaiting the
tip-off between two well matched teams, the Toronto Raptors (16-28)
and the home town Chicago Bulls (18-25). Both teams struggling to
improve their win-loss record, each team a few games under the .500
for the season. The Raptors arrived in Chicago having loss
seven games in a row, and dropping 8 of their last 10 games.
Chicago currently in 10th place, two games out of contention
for a playoff spot, was poised to break-up a three game losing skid
against a Raptor team that was ripe for picking. However, the
Raptors had plans of their own as they executed the pick-role offense
to perfection led by guard Jose Calderon who returned
to the roster from the injured reserve to energize Toronto’s
offense.
Along with Caldron’s contributions, the Bulls continued to be their
own worst enemy turning over the basketball to the Raptors
23 times leading to many easy scoring opportunities. Toronto
delivered the final knock-out punch in the 4th quarter as they
shredded Chicago’s defense delivering a 20-2 scoring run defeating
the Bulls by 114-94.
Bull's
Co-Captain Kirk Hinrich and Company Before the Game
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Bull Fight Tonight?
During Chicago’s most recent home stand the Bulls have started-off
many of the games slowly allowing the other team to initially
jump-out to double-digit leads only to recover by half time
eventually challenging their opponents late in the 4th quarter.
Early in this contest Bulls continued their pattern as the Raptors
jumping ahead of the Bulls in the 1st quarter.
Who Got The Horns?
Chicago battled back in the first two quarters coming from
behind down by 7-points (17-24) with 3:00 minutes left in the
first quarter to eventually tie the game at 54 all at Half-Time.
The early comeback was lead by Tyrus Thomas who was extremely
active on the glass in the 1st quarter scoring 8-points on two
slam-dunks, foul line shooting and from shots from the field.
Tyrus Thomas Shot Block Average is on the Rise 1.78 Blocks per Game
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Dan Peters
Tyrus Thomas the "Human Eraser"?
Thomas intimidated the Raptor’s big men driving the lane
blocking two shots including All-Star forward Chris Bosh’s
lay-up attempt. Thomas’s continued development as a
“Shot Blocker” which bodes well for the 22-year old starting
forward averaging 1.78 blocked per game.
Scoring contributions from Kirk Hinrich (9-points),
Ben Gordon (9-Points) and Derrick Rose (8-points) many
of the shots coming from inside overwhelm the Raptors
in the paint by 24-16 differential allowing them to pull-up
even at half-time.
Ben
Gordon Teams Scoring Leader 19-Points Drives to the Hoop
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
And Then the Wheels Began to Fall Off!
Although Chicago was able to compete in the first two quarters
Chicago found them selves once again trailing Toronto at the ending
the 3rd quarter down by 74-83 on a string of baskets by Toronto guards
Anthony Parker and Jason Kapono. Raptors also turn-up their defensive
intensity disputing Chicago’s screen role making scoring difficult.
Raptors Prowl the Lane
“We played a great game in the second half. Coach was mad at
us at halftime and he was right. And in the second half we played
great. He said we were passive on our rebounding, we were just not
active. It was like we didn't want the game. In the second half,
everyone was fighting and we played great defense. We did a good
job on our pick-and-roll defense and they didn't have any easy shots.
We were contesting every shot.” said Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani.
Guard
Anthony Parker Makes Chicago Pay Scoring 2 of his 14-Points
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Dan Peters
Welcome to Turnovers City - The Key To The Bull Season?
In addition, Chicago continued to struggle with their nemesis the
turning over at an average of 15 per game. The young Bulls won
the dubious turn-over honors by a 2-to-1 ratio over the Raptors,
damaging Chicago’s ability to control the ball while giving Toronto
extra opportunities to score.
“We played pretty well in the first
half but we had too many turnovers. We definitely had too many
turnovers in the second half. There's no explanation. We were
making bad decisions with the ball. We stress it in practice,
we go over film and we talk about it.” said Head Coach Vinny
Del Negro.
Chicago turnover possession of the ball 23 times while
giving-up 23-points to the Raptors. In the last three
games, Chicago has yielded a total 58 turnovers while
giving-up 73-points to the opposition. With this in mind,
it's not hard to fathom that the Bulls have loss their last
three games when a team gives away an average of 24.3-points
in turnover per game. “We have to take care of the ball and
do what we need to do. Right now turnovers are killing us.”
said Bulls forward Andre Nocioni.
All-Star
Chris Bosh & Jamario Moon Take Advantage of Bulls Turnover
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Raptor Pick-and-Role to Perfection - Toronto's Heaven & Bull's Hell
Starting early in the 1st quarter Toronto wasted no time
demonstrating the effectiveness of their two man pick-and-role game and
proving
how divesting a weapon it was against the under sized Bulls
front court. The combination of Calderon, Bosh, Bargnani and
Anthony Parker quickly provided open short range jump shots
for the "wings" and inside scoring for the "cutters". Bosh
the recipient of open jump shots scored 17-points along with
mobile center Bargnani scoring 22-points
Jose Calderon to the Rescue!
Calderon fresh off Toronto’s injured reserve sparked the Raptors
with 23-points of the bench and was the leading scorer who dished out
10 assist that energized their crisp two-man game.
“Calderon definitely makes a difference in their team. He shot
the ball well and controlled the tempo of the game. Bosh and
Bargnani had their way. We shot it all right but we gave up too
high a field goal percentage for them. We were back on our heels
most of the game and they controlled the tempo.” said Head Coach
Del Negro.
Pick
& Role Paradise for #24 Kapono and #4 Bosh"
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Dan Peters
Raptors Take the Last Bite Out of the Bulls
With 5:23 in the final quarter Toronto was leading by 2-points
(94-92) and 4 minutes later the Raptors led by 20 points
scoring on an astonishing 20-2 scoring run. The collapse of Chicago’s
4th quarter
defense plus hot shooting by Calderon led to a stunning
finish with Toronto holding Chicago scoreless for the last
five minutes of the game.
“In the NBA it's all about team defense. You have to rely
on your teammates and your system. Right now we're just not
playing good team defense. Disappointing. It's tough, we
just have to hold our heads up and we have to play better
if we want to win.” said Bull’s guard Ben Gordon.
Andrea
Bargnani 7-Foot Center Drops 17-Point On Chicago
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Bulls Regrouping & Moving On
Defensive laps and turnovers hurt the Bulls over the last
three games. Tonight good play by Kirk Hinrich scoring 17-points
and 7 assist went relatively unnoticed as Chicago lost their 4th
game in a row with 3 of the games lost at home. With future super star
Derrick Rose seemingly hitting the rookie mid-season wall having
played in 44 games while his scoring average (15.8 ppg) has declined
over the
past 10 games, Chicago is looking forward to a the refreshed Derrick
Rose to
lead Chicago in the second half of the season as he did earlier in
start of the season.
“Things happen. We've got to keep our heads up. This is the NBA
and you're going to lose games. Hopefully we can go on a winning
streak after this.” said Rose.
Time
Is Running Out & Chicago Needs to Regroup
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Dan Peters
Hit The Road and Put the United Center On Ice
Chicago will play their next seven games on the road as part
of the “Ice Show” road trip causing the resident United Center teams to
evacuate as the Disney On-Ice show arrives. An opportunity now exists
for Chicago to feast upon the next three teams (Minnesota, L.A.
Clippers & Sacramento)
with lesser records then there own. A .500 road trip would likely be
seen
as success and a well needed boost to Chicago’s confidence as they
begin the
second half of their NBA season.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Next Bulls Game:
Away VS. Minnesota
Saturday January 25th at6:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - WCIU
Away VS. L.A. Clippers
Monday January 28thth at 9:30PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - WGN
Away VS. Sacramento
Tuesday January 30th at 9:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - Comcast Chicago Sportsnet
Away VS. Phoenix
Friday January 31st at 8:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - WGN
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Dan Peters
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