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© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Thunder
Strikes-Down Bulls in OT 109-98
By
Mark Rotor
Eastern Conference Meets Western
The Oklahoma City Thunder, a transplanted NBA franchise in
2007-08 season arrived in Chicago for a 7:30PM tip-off
versus the Bulls at the United Center. On the season,
the Thunder’s record was 5-32 and they were looking for their
2nd road win of the season. However, Chicago with
a winning home record of 12-5 and having won their last two
home games were looking forward to a easy victory against
an opponent with the worst record in the NBA.
Unfortunately for Chicago, the Thunder would not cooperate
dominating the Bulls on the glass and on the scoreboard
defeating the Bulls 109-98 in Over-Time.
Oklahoma's
Guard Earl Watson VS. Bull's Star Derrick Rose
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Energy Anyone?
The Bulls got-off to a slow start, as Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes
and Derrick Rose missed their first 5 jump-shots of the game taking
3 ½ minutes to score their first basket. Bull Center Drew Gooden
was
asked about the lack of energy by both teams in the first half and
responded: “I think the first half was due to each team playing back
to back games and the energy level was not there.”
Meanwhile, the Thunder would out rebounded Chicago 16-7 and out
hustled the Bulls on the offensive glass 7-1 to help the Thunder to
take the lead at the end of the first quarter 31-29. Both inside and
outside scoring by Oklahoma’s star forward Kevin Durant (9 points) and
low post punch by center Nick Collison (6 points.) kept the Thunder
close as they exchanged the lead with Chicago 6 times in the quarter.
Bull's Joakim Noah Held Off Boards By Thunder and Star Kevin Durant
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
2nd Quarter Déjà vu
The Thunder continued their dominance on the glass out rebounding
Chicago 12-4 in 2nd quarter. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and
Earl Wilson combined for 12 of the 16 rebounds by the Thunder in
the first half. “They out rebounded us and got to a lot of loose
balls. It seemed like all the loose balls and taps ended up in
their hands.” said Gooden.
The Thunder’s back-up center Nenad Kristic punished Chicago with
3 short range jump shots and lay-up to enable the Oklahoma take
a 54-51 half time lead. Chicago was lead in scoring in the first
half by Ben Gordon who was 5 of 9 from the field with one
3-pointer. Bulls Co-captain Drew Gooden, staring his 3rd
game back from the injured reserve, led by example scoring
8-points and gathering 3 rebounds.
Center
Drew Gooden Earns a Double-Double for the 3rd Game in a Row
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
2nd Half
By the end of the 3rd quarter Chicago was poised to make a run
at the high intensity Thunder, scoring on a Joakim
Noah slam dunk with seconds remaining in the quarter trailing 76-74.
Indeed, the momentum shifted in the Bulls direction early 4th
quarter as a rare defensive stop by Chicago forced a key Thunder
turnover.
Chicago took advantage of their opportunity as Gooden knifed
down the lane scoring on a lay-up tying the score at 76-76.
Gooden continued his offensive assault scoring in the lane on
a hook-shot to take lead at 78-76. Gooden scored
20-points and 12 rebounds scoring a “double-double” for
the third consecutive game. Chicago ultimately did not
turnover the lead untill the end of the 4th quarter on
a free-throw by Nick Collison tying the score at 94-94
forcing the game to overtime.
Thunder
Strikes Bulls In Over-Time
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Disappointment City…The Overtime
With the Thunder controlling the glass out rebounding Chicago 50-32
the Bull would need to pick-up their defensive intensity and hit their
shots to overcome Oklahoma's rebounding mastery.
Unfortunately, the Bulls were out scored 15-4 in the five minute
overtime and did not score in the last two minutes of the game.
Both a lack of defensive intensity and offensive execution sealed
the Bulls fath as the Chicago was defeated in overtime 109-98. Kevin
Durant lead the Thunder with 28-points and was 6 for 6 from the
free-throw line in over-time to seal the verdict.
“We just got outworked tonight. The bottom line is you look at the
rebounding; they had 22 offensive rebounds. We were not getting a
body on people. They were more physical. We did not share the
basketball
the way we need to. We had some opportunities in the open court,
especially to make easy plays and we were not able to convert. We
guarded at times OK but the second shots killed us. Their effort was
better. That is not acceptable.” said coach Vinny Del Negro.
"This is one of the toughest losses of the year. Especially at home
to a team we should beat. I don't think we took them for granted.
They just outworked us and outplayed us tonight.” said Drew Gooden.
Thunder
Dominate in Over-Time
© Suburban
Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Note-A-Bulls
Ben Gordon led the Bulls in scoring with 22-points shooting 9-19.
Teammate Derrick Rose scored continued his double digit scoring
matched his season game average of 16-points and 6 assist.
Thunder's
6'5" Kyle Weaver Stands Toe-To-Toe With 6'3" Ben Gordon
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
What’s Next
Bulls will need to snap back from their loss to the last place
Thunder as they quickly be facing the best team in the NBA the
Cleveland Cavilers with a record of 29-6.
Bulls looking for reinforcement help from their retuning starters
Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich as they are expected back when Chicago
play the division leading Cavilers.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Next Bulls Game:
Home VS. Portland Trailblazers
Friday January 12th at 6:30PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - Comcast Chicago Sportsnet
Away VS. Toronto Raptors
Saturday January 14th at 7:30PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - WCU
Home VS. Cleveland Cavilers
Thursday January 15th at 7:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - TNT
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
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