Oak Park Journal Sports Page

Bulls Win Home Opener Mauling Grizzlies 104-64

By Mark Rotor

Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bull started the new year winning their home opener 104-64 in a one-sided route of the Memphis Grizzlies. With the victory the Bulls are 4-1 with their best start since 1996-97 season 12-0.

Unexpected, is probably the best word to describe the slaughter of the Grizzlies considering the one-two inside power game provided by Marc Gasol and Zack Randolph who account for 25 points per game and 18 rebounds have created havoc for the Bulls in the past. However, Randolph went down at the end of the 1st quarter leaving the Grizzlies without any bite at the power forward position. Also, unexpected was the last minute scratch of the Bull newest acquisition, 6’7” All-Star guard Rip Hamilton held out by the coaching staff as a precaution due to a pulled groin injury.

From Bench Mob To Starter

Ronnie Brewer was notified minutes prior to the game that he was in the starting line-up replacing Hamilton and made the very best of opportunities tying for Bulls scoring leader with 17 points. He also gathered 6 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 steals. Off the bench, Brewer has step-up his game playing with great poise shooting near 65 percent from the field and a perfect 3-3 from 3 point range in limited minutes.

“Ronnie is playing with a lot of confidence and has been playing this way since the starting of training camp said,” head coach Tom Thibodeau. “Last year he was still recovering a hamstring injury. He came into camp in great shape. At the end of last year he was play well and he pick-up from where he left off. It’s great he has his confidence back.”

1st Half - Grizzlies Wave The White Flag

It took the Grizzlies exactly one minute to relinquish their only lead and 10 additional minutes before the competition was over the Bulls ran away to a double digits lead. They managed to stay close only during the first 6 minutes of the game and eventually were overwhelmed by the aggressive play of Chicago who helped Memphis to a poor shooting night of 31 percent.

Chicago was uncompromising from the tip-off defending and rebounding including 5 rebounds by Carlos Boozer and 3 by Brewer to set the pace. Brewer’s slam dunk at 4:53 assisted by Luol Deng gave Chicago a 11-6 margin and brought the fans to their feet. Combined with Zach Randolph departure from the game at the end of the quarter, left Chicago in the driver seat for the rest of the game.

Bulls Defensive Domination

“I like the way we approached the game on defense and we are improving on offense,” Thibodeau said, “It’s step in the right direction. Memphis is a good team we caught a break with Randolph leaving the game.”

At the end of the 1st quarter the Bulls enjoyed a lopsided 25-12 lead . The Grizzlies shot a underwhelming 22 percent from the field combined with no fast break points left the wounded Grizzlies at the mercy of Rose and the Bulls. By half time the Memphis only managed 16 additional points and were down by 36 (54-28).

“The problem was we couldn’t score said,” Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins. “In the 1st quarter we scored 12 points and the next we scored 16 points. They came out with a lot of energy and focus of defense taking a lot of things away. We couldn’t score shooting 31 percent for the game. It was just a total defeat you have to give Chicago a lot of credit. There was no message, it was just humiliating and embarrassing.”

Rose, Boozer, and Harlem Globetrotters?

By the 2nd half the game resembled an exhibition between the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals. Chicago scored at will in a variety of ways in the open court as well as pounded out their offense finding open shots and easy opportunities agents a weary Memphis team.

At half-time Carlos Boozer accumulated a Double-Double by half time 15 points and 11 rebounds and finished the game with 17-points. “Carlos was great he ran the floor, played defense, rebounded the ball and scored,” said Thibodeau. “He played terrific.”

At the end of the 3rd quarter Chicago had a 84-44 laugher on their hands. Rose distributed the ball magnificently from the start of the game and earned himself a early seat on the bench with 4:39 remaining. Rose scored 16 points, 4-10 from the field, 4-4 free throws and 4 assists.

“Derrick gives you what ever the team needs,” Thibodeau said. “He got us off to a really good start with defense and pushing the ball up the floor. Push the ball like that gets everyone involved. His stats doesn’t reflect how well he played.”

The Down Side - C.J. Watson Injury

In the 4th quarter with game well in hand, supper-sub C.J. Watson who played terrifically during their 1st four games sprained his arm diving for a loose ball with Grizzlies’ Josh Selby. Thibodeau said, “They did a x-ray and it was negative but they plan to do an MRI and we will know more tomorrow. When you have a injury the next guy has to step in. We have a lot of confidence in our bench. John Lucas has done that role before.”

Chicago has little time to celebrate their 40 point victory as they meet the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday at the United Center.