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#Post#: 553--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: Phill23 Date: November 3, 2012, 12:45 pm
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Probable Bulls Starters
Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-4 | 190
Guard 32 Richard Hamilton 6-7 | 193
Forward 9 Luol Deng 6-9 | 220
Forward 5 Carlos Boozer 6-9 | 266
Center 13 Joakim Noah 6-11 | 232
Probable Hornets Starters
Guard 21 Greivis Vasquez 6-6 | 211
Guard 25 Austin Rivers 6-4 | 200
Forward 0 Al-Farouq Aminu 6-9 | 215
Forward 33 Ryan Anderson 6-10 | 240
Center 15 Robin Lopez 7-0 | 255
Injury Report
Derrick Rose (left knee) is out. For a full report and the
latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report
at Bulls.com.
Anthony Davis (mild concussion) and Eric Gordon (sore left knee)
are out for New Orleans.
#Post#: 557--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: Phill23 Date: November 9, 2012, 10:26 am
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Shep’s Bulls Notebook: Bulls Collapse, Thunder Stars Praise Rose
HTML http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/11/08/shepkowski-bullsthunder-notebook/
#Post#: 562--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: Phill23 Date: November 10, 2012, 4:00 pm
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Game Notes: Bulls vs. Timberwolves 7:00 p.m.
Associated Press
11/10/12
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls both entered this
season without their top player.
While the Bulls have looked pedestrian at times without Derrick
Rose, the surging Timberwolves have more than held their own
despite Kevin Love's absence.
The Bulls try to win their sixth straight in the series, while
Minnesota tries to extend its best start in 11 seasons Saturday
night at the United Center (7:00 p.m. CT | WGN America | ESPN
1000/WRTO 1200).
Though many expected the Timberwolves to stumble as Love worked
his way back from a broken right hand, coach Rick Adelman's team
has proven to be one of this season's biggest surprises in
getting off to a 4-1 start.
Minnesota turned heads again Friday, pulling out a thrilling
96-94 win over Indiana on Chase Budinger's layup with 0.8
seconds to go. The Timberwolves, off to their best start since
opening a franchise-best 6-0 in 2001-02, have posted three
straight victories to match their longest streak from last
season.
Budinger finished with 18 points Friday while Derrick Williams
scored 15 for Minnesota, which last won four in a row Jan.
29-Feb. 6, 2010.
In addition to Love, the Timberwolves continue to play without
Ricky Rubio (torn ACL). Fellow point guard J.J. Barea is
expected to miss a second straight game with a sprained left
foot.
Minnesota may have suffered another big blow Friday after
Brandon Roy left at halftime with a sore right knee. The veteran
guard, who's attempting to come back from chronic knee troubles
that caused him to retire prior to last season, is uncertain to
play Saturday but plans to travel with the team.
"It's OK," forward Andrei Kirilenko said. "We'll still keep
winning. Injuries, that don't matter. Winning is what matters."
Minnesota has lost by an average of 15.8 points during its skid
against Chicago, though the Bulls needed 31 from Rose in a
111-100 road win Jan. 10 in the teams' only meeting last season.
Chicago opened 2-0 but has since dropped two of three, losing
97-91 to Oklahoma City on Thursday. The Bulls (3-2) were
outscored 31-19 in the fourth quarter.
"We were right there in the game," forward Luol Deng, who scored
a game-high 27 points, told the team's official website. "We've
(just) got to have a better fourth quarter. That's what we've
got to get back to. There's going to be a lot of those (close)
games. We've just got to be tough minded to win those games in
the end."
Richard Hamilton had 20 points, while Carlos Boozer and Joakim
Noah each scored nine and combined for 24 rebounds.
"Derrick Rose is an unbelievable player, don't get me wrong. He
is Chicago," Thunder superstar Kevin Durant said. "But those
guys are great complements to him. Once one of your best players
is out, guys got to step up and that's what they've been doing
ever since he's been out."
The Bulls, who went an Eastern Conference-best 62-12 at home
over the previous two seasons, have split four games at the
United Center.
"There's no excuses," forward Taj Gibson said. "We're a man
down, but guys will have to step up. ... We got to keep grinding
until he (Rose) gets back and just move forward."
With Rose not expected to return anytime soon, Chicago will
surely continue to rely on its superb defensive efforts. The
Bulls are allowing 90.4 points per game to rank near the top of
the league.
No team has made fewer 3-pointers than the Bulls, who have shot
16 of 57 (28.1 percent) from beyond the arc.
Probable Bulls Starters
Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-4 | 190
Guard 32 Richard Hamilton 6-7 | 193
Forward 9 Luol Deng 6-9 | 220
Forward 5 Carlos Boozer 6-9 | 266
Center 13 Joakim Noah 6-11 | 232
Probable Timberwolves Starters
Guard 13 Luke Ridnour 6-2 | 173
Guard 3 Brandon Roy 6-6 | 216
Forward 47 Andrei Kirilenko 6-9 | 234
Forward 7 Derrick Williams 6-8 | 243
Center 14 Nikola Pekovic 6-11 | 281
Injury Report
*Derrick Rose (left knee) is out. For a full report and the
latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report
at Bulls.com.
* José Barea (left mid-foot sprain) and Brandon Roy (sore right
knee) are questionable; Kevin Love (fracture of the third and
fourth metacarpals in his right hand) and Ricky Rubio (torn ACL
and MCL, left knee) are out for Minnesota.
#Post#: 583--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: Phill23 Date: November 13, 2012, 9:27 am
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Bulls feeling a little green after losing to Celtics
Sam Smith
11/13/2012
We knew the Bulls would miss Derrick Rose’s scoring and ability
to make big plays. And it was obvious again in Monday’s 101-95
loss to the Boston Celtics when the Bulls came back from a
13-point fourth quarter deficit to within three and then missed
five shots and committed three turnovers.
“We had our chances,” agreed Joakim Noah, who had another big
game with 17 points and 11 rebounds playing almost 42 minutes.
“It was a frustrating loss. We were kind of desperate at the
end. We came close. We’re going to get better. We’ve just got to
keep fighting and not point fingers, stay together as a group.”
Sure, but who knew Rose was such a great defender.
Because it was the Bulls’ shaky defense which was the ultimate
culprit in the loss, the Celtics shooting 50.6 percent and
becoming the first team in 16 games, since last April, to score
more than 100 points against the Bulls.
“Yes, we did (have defensive issues), 58 points in a half,”
noted Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.
Asked about the better results in the fourth quarter, the only
quarter the Bulls outscored Boston, Thibodeau said: “We tried.
“When you give them confidence, they are hard to stop,” said
Thibodeau. “Our bench guys got it down to three, but early in
the game our rebounding was poor and our defense was poor, and
that gave them the big lead.”
It’s just seven games, and the Bulls fell to 4-3. Omer Asik, who
had another big game for the Rockets, is gone. But he played
only 14 minutes per game last season, and often not in the
second half. Yes, there is a new bench group. And it does take
time to learn defense, which requires acute teamwork.
But the numbers are alarming for a defensive guru like
Thibodeau.
Last season, the Bulls were first in rebounding, first in fewest
points allowed per game, second in lowest opponent field goal
percentage, third in lowest opponent three-point shooting
percentage and third in blocks.
This season, the Bulls are just another team on the defensive
end thus far.
They are 10th in opponent field goal percentage and blocks, 14th
in three pointers allowed, 10th in rebounding and sixth in
opponent points scored. The numbers are reasonable, but hardly
exceptional. And nowhere near good enough to make up for the
absence of Rose on offense. Yes, the Bulls received a blow with
Kirk Hinrich missing the game with a hip/hamstring/glut injury
as Hinrich is the team’s best perimeter defender among the
guards. Hinrich remains day to day and uncertain for Wednesday’s
road trip opener in Phoenix.
Yes, Thibodeau’s demands and coaching enables the Bulls to pull
back in a game like Monday’s in which Boston seemed any minute
for three quarters to make it a blowout. The Bulls never led and
the Celtics led by double digits at some point in each quarter
and still by 13 with about 10 minutes left.
But the Bulls began to trap in the backcourt some, pressure more
as Thibodeau went primarily with a defensive unit without three
starters, Carlos Boozer, Richard Hamilton and Nate Robinson.
“Down the stretch, I wanted to do some trapping and get some
more energy,” said Thibodeau. “So I went with Taj (Gibson) and
Marquis (Teague) to help us in that area.” Jimmy Butler was in
as well.
If not quite a savior, Teague had by far his best game with the
Bulls with five points and two assists in 18 minutes. He did get
beat on a key play with 41.9 seconds left and the Bulls trailing
95-93 after Luol Deng played the Rose role again as close as
anyone could on the Bulls with a driving layup on the way to his
game high 26 points.
Boston coach Doc Rivers runs some of the best plays out of
timeouts, and for the second time in less than two minutes and
desperately needing a score, Kevin Garnett provided a second
cross screen for Rajon Rondo and dove for the basket for a lob
pass and dunk from Rondo.
“Actually we covered that play in the pregame,” said Thibodeau.
“They’re good at it.”
I’m sure Thibodeau did as he doesn’t miss much. But rookie point
guards do, though the Bulls probably would have long been out of
that game without Teague replacing Robinson, who was being
dominated by Rondo.
It’s no shame as Rondo is becoming as good as there is in the
NBA at point guard. He leads the league in assists and had 20
points, 10 assists and nine rebounds Monday. He stretched his
streak of consecutive games with 10 or more assists to 31, the
longest in the NBA since John Stockton had 37 straight in 1989.
“He is taking on the role of becoming more aggressive out
there,” said Paul Pierce. “He realizes that with Ray Allen gone
he is part of the big three now. I consider him the best point
guard in the league with his passing and decision making. Now he
is just filling the rest of the role.”
But it’s hardly like the Bulls aren’t a match for this Celtics
team that most projected second in the East behind Miami. Sure,
not having Hinrich was a big loss given he’d be the defensive
point against Rondo.
But it’s been more than that with the Bulls, who did tighten up
some late. Though with the likes of Gibson, Butler and Teague
finishing the game it limits what the Bulls can do offensively.
Of course, as Thibodeau suggests by his rotations, if he goes
with Boozer, Hamilton and Robinson perhaps their scoring won’t
be enough if they’re giving up that many more points.
As Thibodeau likes to say, “My grief lies all within. And these
external manners of lament are merely shadows to the unseen
grief that swells with silence in the tortured soul.”
That’s Thibs or Shakespeare. I always mix them up.
That’s because Thibs’ game is usually one of order that has come
to disorder many times already this season. Especially early in
the game as Rondo was in danger of being taken into custody by
transit police. After all, he looked like he was jumping
turnstiles the way he blew past Robinson for layups. The Bulls
were beaten both in inside and fast break points, which wasn’t
cleaned up much until late in the game.
That was one of the positives for the Bulls as Teague actually
settled things down some and did a much better job with the
Boston guards. Reserve Leandro Barbosa as well had been getting
to the basket so freely it looked like a pregame layup line.
It’s the kind of stuff we’ve basically never seen since
Thibodeau became coach. And while he can make in game
corrections, falling behind like that becomes fatal for a Bulls
team without Rose: Thibodeau has to go defensive to halt the
offensive onslaught. But then the Bulls have to be almost
perfect offensively in asking more of Deng and Noah with Deng
going more than 45 minutes Monday.
Deng has been terrific and easily outplayed Pierce Monday, often
beating him off the dribble as well. Deng is averaging 18.9
points and 23 over the last four games. He also added 11
rebounds and three assists Monday. He and Noah combined for 18
of the Bulls 25 fourth quarter points as they’ve become the
mainstays for the Bulls offense.
Yes, Joakim Noah. And the Bulls probably didn’t go to him
enough, especially in the first half when he had four points.
Yes Boozer got going and had 10 points on five of six shooting
in the first quarter. It was a good recovery for Boozer, though
the Bulls were overrun and trailed 33-27 after one.
Another conundrum for a game plan is the way the Bulls have to
play. They’d like to run and score in transition to get easier
points, but that wide open game if not careful with quick shots
leads to fast breaks the other way and easy scores for the
opposition. With Boston somewhat small and Noah having a size
advantage and growing confidence offensively, he could have been
more of a weapon. Of course, listen to me. Advocating more shots
and offense to go through Joakim Noah? Let me think about that a
bit.
Robinson did have 11 points and seven assists, but it was one of
those games where he just was overwhelmed on the defensive end.
I know Thibodeau likes to say if you’re in that uniform you can
do the job. But Nate’s a reserve generally used to spark a team
in short bursts. The Bulls now are asking him to start, run a
team and then replace one of the league’s best defensive point
guards. So the Bulls have to hope Hinrich returns soon with
Goran Dragic, Chris Paul, impressive rookie Damian Lillard and
Jeremy Lin on this trip.
I suspect with Teague’s strong finish with all his points in the
fourth quarter he’ll see more time on this road trip. Though the
Bulls still do need Robinson’s offensive abilities. As well as
Hamilton’s and Marco Belinelli’s. Neither of the two shooting
guards got much going in limited playing time Monday and
combined for 13 points on five of 14 shooting.
The Bulls early were failing to stop the ball in transition and
were spread out, allowing unusually easy penetrations. One of
their prime directives is creating a so called defensive shell
around the paint to prevent penetration. But the Celtics were
attacking like alien spacecraft with little interference. I
assume alien aircraft attack like that.
That got the Bulls in a 10-point hole barely more than halfway
through the first quarter and the battle was on.
Robinson was having issues with Rondo, which is hardly unique.
But what Robinson will do if you leave him in long stretches is
like when the Bulls rallied from 11 behind to within 23-18 after
Boozer had a jumper and three-point play and Noah a putback.
Robinson then dribbled around and lofted up a brick that went
awry, stunting the momentum. Robinson does some terrific things
as well with his hustle and had a steal and pass to Boozer for a
score and then finding Deng for a three off the dribble. But
that sort of play seemed to unhinge the Bulls.
Defenses do continue to play off Noah, and while he is taking
his shot somewhat regularly now, he still tends to hesitate.
He’s actually playing good enough offense this season to shoot
immediately when he gets that free throw line jumper and to
attack the rim with his quickness, which he did several times
blowing past Kevin Garnett.
With Hinrich out, Teague is the backup and came in during the
second quarter after Thibodeau didn’t substitute in the first.
Teague, understandably, was shaky as Thibodeau is very loud and
demanding of his point guard, and Teague clearly is trying to do
the right thing. But sometimes when you play that position you
have to pretend your hearing aide battery has gone dead. Teague
has a high level NBA first step and quickness, and even if he’s
missing shots I’d like to see him attack the basket more. He was
late in the game and getting to the free throw line.
“I was happy I had the opportunity to go out there and compete,”
said Teague, who is a dutiful rookie who says little. “At the
end of the day, I want to get the win. I wasn’t nervous. I play
against my teammates in practice everyday and they are just as
good as anybody in this league. I’m comfortable out there. I’m a
basketball player. I’m ready to play against anybody. Whatever
Thibs asks me to do, that’s what I do. If he wants me to come
out, that’s fine. Whatever he needed. I really didn’t think too
much about it.”
The Bulls made up a little ground, but then fell right back
behind 58-46 at halftime to a Boston team shooting 59.5 percent.
The Bulls uncharacteristically were poor protecting the rim as
they were spread out on defense. Gibson has continued to
struggle this season. He had just four points and three rebounds
in 21 minutes and hasn’t been as sharp as expected rotating
defensively.
The Bulls pulled within 41-38 in the second. But then Boozer had
a shot blocked and Robinson a turnover that both turned into
fast break scores. With Robinson directing the offense and
taking some unexpected shots, the Bulls also have taken too many
shots with an unbalanced floor, leaving not enough backcourt
protection that Boston took advantage of with a 14-10 edge in
fast break points. You should never be outrun by a team
featuring Garnett and Pierce. Though Robinson did have a great
pass to Boozer diving for a slam dunk late in that first half.
The Bulls were getting back on defense better after halftime,
and they began to apply backcourt pressure and a halfcourt trap
at times, both to surprise the Celtics and seemingly wake
themselves up. It finally began to take effect in the fourth
quarter as the Bulls closed off the paint finally, and pushed
the shooters farther outside. Garnett obliged with several
misses as the Bulls scored 10 straight behind Noah and Deng to
get within 87-84 with 8:23 remaining.
Plenty of time, and at home.
But the Bulls never could get the lead. They went scoreless for
almost five minutes while Boston was missing six straight shots.
The Bulls had the defensive guys in, and Noah and Deng couldn’t
score every time. Thibodeau said before the game that Rose’s
rehabilitation continued well and he now was cutting, a big step
— or move — in the process. But still a long way from the fourth
quarter, where the Bulls most need him.
Jason Terry then hit a 20 footer to give the Celtics an 89-84
lead with 4:54 left.
Thibodeau finally had to give Deng rest for a few seconds, and
the offense broke down. Belinelli was stuck with the ball with
the clock running out and committed a turnover. Though Teague
had good moments, he’s still not playing naturally, apparently
uncertain about mistakes. Which is certainly understandable at
19 and how little he’s played.
Deng came back in after sitting out 41 seconds — the equivalent
of a Caribbean escape or leisurely cruise for him — and
converted on a strong drive. He then forced a Rondo turnover
that led to a Noah dunk to bring the Bulls within 91-88 with
3:33 left. But Terry hit again to make it Boston by five. Teague
made one of two free throws, and then Garnett made the first of
those two lob slam dunks off Rondo passes to prevent the Bulls
from taking a lead. The Bulls didn’t help themselves missing
five of their seven missed free throws for the game in the
fourth quarter, though Gibson got a Deng miss back for a Deng
layup to get within two before that second Rondo to Garnett
play.
Gibson then missed a pair of free throws and that was as close
as the Bulls would get.
“There were a few times when I thought we were up 12 to 14 and
could have gone to 20 and didn’t,” said Pierce. “Overall this
was just a good win for us. Chicago deserves credit on their
run.”
The Bulls hope that’s not what they are reduced to.
#Post#: 584--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: Phill23 Date: November 15, 2012, 10:40 am
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Bulls enjoy Phoenix so much they stay an extra quarter
Sam Smith
Nov 15, 2012
It was Joakim Noah who made the “arrive home safely shot” for
the Bulls Wednesday, the clinching 18-footer with 29.5 seconds
left that sent the home fans to the exits in a Bulls’ 112-106
overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Yes, Noah of the counter-clockwise spinning “tornado” jump shot,
of the hook shot launched sometimes from his waist, the guy who
isn’t being asked to many clinics on offense.
And the guy with 21 points, 12 rebounds and five assists who
made the two closing baskets to assure the win after the Bulls
had blown an 18-point third quarter lead.
“Hey, (stuff) happens,” Noah shrugged as he slowly dressed in an
upbeat, if not celebratory Bulls locker room. “That’s the way
I’d put it. It’s getting to the point where there hasn’t been
much I haven’t seen as an NBA player. I’ve been up 35 points in
a game in the NBA and lost. So when you are on the road and a
team makes a run at you, it’s how you handle it. They played
hard in the fourth quarter and got a lot of offensive rebounds,
so there are things we can correct. You’d rather correct them
after getting the win.”
And so the Bulls did with one of their better offensive games of
the season, with Carlos Boozer excellent with 28 points and 14
rebounds and Luol Deng with 21 points, his third game of at
least 21 in the last four, and now averaging 19.1 on the season.
But it was more than just the numbers. It was the 5-3 Bulls
finishing strongly in overtime after blowing a huge lead, a
building block for a team searching for a closing kick without
Derrick Rose. And it was a veteran presence showing it wouldn’t
crack with the likes of Noah, Deng, Boozer and Richard Hamilton
mostly finishing and showing the worth of veteran experience.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau likes to rely on defense and defensive
players. But he rode his veterans and they delivered.
“They made their run and we stayed calm,” said Deng. “The way
we’ve played the last two years and what we’ve been through,
there was a calm out there. No panic even away from home. And we
got the win.
“It was huge, especially Carlos,” Deng added. “When Booz plays
like that we are very hard to beat. I felt it would be a good
trip for him. When they made their run, he was making baskets,
and that made it easy for us. Everyone in this league knows how
effective Boozer is, how good he is when he is scoring.”
I thought it interesting Deng noted how the road would be kind
to Boozer. I wondered if there’s less pressure on Boozer on the
road given the way he is measured at home. Deng shrugged and
said he didn’t know. He said to ask Boozer. Of course, Boozer
doesn’t dwell on those things, at least publicly. Though you
know the criticism has to hurt. But he never says anything about
it.
And Thibodeau credited Boozer for playing through the bad times.
Though he also stuck with Boozer, who is prone to quick
Thibodeau hooks after mistakes or dry spells. Boozer played just
under 40 minutes, and joked his legs gave out a bit coming up
short on a late dunk attempt. But in the overtime as the Bulls
scored the first eight points and never trailed, Boozer got a
big offensive rebound on a Hamilton miss at 102-100 and made two
free throws, getting four rebounds in the overtime, which
matched the Suns’ entire total. And this on a night the Suns
outrebounded the Bulls 51-46.
“I thought he started the game aggressively,” said Thibodeau. “I
thought he played well throughout. You know what he’s going to
give you. A lot of plays are called for him. This is something
he probably doesn’t get enough credit for. If a play is called
for him it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s his shot. It’s his
play. His responsibility is to make the right play. If a second
defender comes, he has to hit the open man, which he always
does. If you cut and you’re open, Carlos will hit you with a
pass. He plays the right way and doesn’t press. If things aren’t
going his way, next day he comes in, works on his game and gets
ready for the next game.”
It’s that veteran experience which is perhaps the best thing the
Bulls have going for them without Rose, and it was good to see
Thibodeau have faith in that group to the end. And they
delivered with that dominant overtime.
It also helped Boozer that Kirk Hinrich, though still slowed a
bit, was back. Boozer plays far better off him as well as with
Hamilton than he is able to with less experienced or talented
point guards, like Nate Robinson or Marquis Teague.
“Everything was going, to be honest,” said Boozer. “I was able
to play off Rip with corner passes. He got me going. Kirk did a
great job with pocket passes. He was getting me open jump shots
and I could be aggressive. Hey, I was even making my free throws
(six for six). It felt good.
“We did not lose our poise,” Boozer agreed. “This group of guys
has seen a lot of things. Even though we had to go to overtime,
I thought we did a great job moving the ball. Rip got shots, Lu,
Joakim. I got shots. That’s how we’re going to win. We don’t
have Derrick, so we have to find ways. It did feel good to be
out there.”
There’s been much talk about the bench this season, whether this
one was good enough, how good that one was. Robinson had 11
points in relief of Hinrich, who was feisty enough in a game
that was growing rough late that he drew a fourth quarter
technical and ripped off his glasses after being called for an
offensive foul and confronting the official.
“Don’t know what I said,” offered Hinrich. He agreed it probably
wasn’t good.
Once again, Taj Gibson couldn’t get anything going with four
points and two rebounds and Marco Belinelli had just three
points. Nazr Mohammed had a brutal time with Luis Scola in seven
minutes, and Jimmy Butler did have a nice sequence in the second
quarter with six points. But given Thibodeau has hives when Deng
leaves the game, Butler only played about eight and a half
minutes.
The starters had to do it, which really is a positive. Perhaps
more so that Thibodeau rolled with them. Especially on the road,
he’s going to have to. He should, and it shouldn’t be a big
issue as the Bulls have two days off before playing the Clippers
Saturday. Then after the back to back with Portland Sunday
another two days off before playing Houston on Thanksgiving eve.
“They showed a lot of toughness,” Thibodeau said of his group.
“In the end, you have to find a way to win. Whatever is
necessary you have to do it, and I thought we did that tonight.”
Boozer had a high level all around game, including controlling
Marcin Gortat, who had just 11 points and eight rebounds.
Thibodeau likes to play Noah against the more mobile big man,
which was Scola, who led Phoenix with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
But Scola did a lot of damage against Mohammed when Noah was out
in the second quarter. If there’s a knock on Noah’s defense,
it’s that he’ll over help at times. It’s both a strength and
weakness. Yes, it can leave him out of position. But his ability
to switch and guard much smaller players is unique in the NBA.
There’s no big man as versatile defensively.
And now Noah is showing an offensive game hardly anyone could
have imagined. He scored nine of his 21 points in the fourth
quarter and overtime, and while he’ll occasionally not grab the
miss and follow, he’s constantly knocking balls away on the
boards and now shooting a reliable jump shot. In fact, I wish
he’d take it more as it’s one of the better mid range shots on
the team. And defenses give it to him. Often he’ll hesitate. But
he clinched Wednesday’s win taking that last 18 footer right up.
“He’s shown he’s a lot more than just a hustle guy,”
congratulated Thibodeau. “He’s been playing this way throughout
the season. He’s healthy. He’s working hard on his game,
studying, preparing to play. He’s doing a great job of making
his moves a lot quicker. He probably could have had 30 tonight
if he had made his dunks.”
That’s the way the night ended: Thibs doing Henny Youngman. He
doesn’t do Dave Chappelle.
“I feel more comfortable doing it (shooting),” Noah conceded. “I
wasn’t as comfortable before. I always felt I could do things
offensively, make plays off the dribble. I don’t feel too many
guys my size can do that.”
The other rock is Deng, who has morphed into the 20-point scorer
many believed he would be but since became convinced he couldn’t
be. Now as much as anyone in tough situations, the Bulls look
for him. He makes more plays off the dribble than ever. And
opening the overtime, it’s where the Bulls went for their first
points.
“I’m more aggressive,” said Deng. “I know when to get guys going
or the time for me to go. I’ve been doing that the last few
games. I never go in thinking I have to score 20. But right now
my confidence is high and I want to keep playing like this.”
The Bulls certainly need it.
Though it didn’t seem like they would after they began to take
control of the game in the second and third quarters.
Though Hinrich was expected to miss perhaps a few more games
with his strained hip, he did enough to work himself back into
the game. And it was no surprise Boozer started hot with 10 in
the first quarter. Hinrich admitted he’s “still not ideal.” And
he did have some issues early with much improved point guard
Goran Dragic, who had 10 in the first quarter.
You’ll remember Dragic from perhaps Rose’s most spectacular dunk
ever over him a few years back in a huge Bulls overtime win in
Phoenix. Suns coach Alvin Gentry say the players still kid
Dragic about it and often show it in film sessions.
“That’s part of the game,” said Dragic. “I always say if I have
the same opportunity I’ll try to block it again. I’m not the
first one it happened to.”
The Suns have an odd tendency to fall into deep holes in games
and have trailed by double digits in eight of their nine games.
But they came back and won down 26 earlier this season. The big
reason is an unbalanced and odd roster with slow post men
Gortat, Scola and Michael Beasley starting, all of whom view
passing as a sin.
But the Suns stayed in down 29-27 after one. Again, Boozer also
worked well with Noah, once early passing on a wide open 15
footer to slip Noah a pass for a layup.
Scola took advantage with Noah out early in the second. But
Butler and with a strong close to the half from Boozer, the
Bulls took a 57-51 halftime lead shooting 58.5 percent.
It looked like it was going to be a blowout as the Bulls got on
the offensive boards in the third quarter, grabbing seven as
Deng, Boozer and Noah turned them into baskets as the Bulls went
ahead 79-61 with 3:05 left in the third and closed the quarter
leading 83-69.
But as Gentry often does, he went with a smaller, quicker lineup
that was more aggressive, and happened to have the good fortune
of non shooter Sebastian Telfair — though he has been picked up
twice on gun violations — making four threes.
“I thought we did a lot of good things to get to 18,” said
Thibodeau. “The fourth quarter the thing was (P.J.) Tucker was
crushing us with second shots. We weren’t finishing our defense.
And their ball pressure, they got into us. Sometimes on the
road, you’re not going to get calls. You have to be strong.
There was physical play. We should enjoy that. It’s a good part
of the game.”
Easy for him to say.
The Suns scored on six straight possessions, Hinrich unraveled
for a technical as he was being fouled and got a foul for
pushing back, and suddenly the Bulls were leading 91-90 with
4:28 left on a Shannon Brown drive.
“Tucker was physical,” agreed Deng. “At one point coach screamed
at me about all the offensive rebounds he was getting. I said,
‘Coach, the ball is going to him.’”
It was a time it seemed the game would go to the Suns.
But Noah, the Bulls’ new Kyle Korver, made a 17-footer.
“Usually, when I catch the ball I’m thinking pass first,” Noah
admitted. “I have to keep my eye on the rim. I try to make a
quick play first. If they try to take that away, that’s when I
get into my shot. I feel (now) if my shot is there I’m going to
shoot it. I’m feeling more and more confident with it. I missed
a few early, some bad ones. I hit the backboard with one that
wasn’t too pretty. But they went down when it counted. So I was
happy.”
Telfair tied it with a three. Robinson then literally ducked
under a defender for a layup and 95-93 lead. Back came Scola to
tie it, but the Bulls wouldn’t buckle.
Robinson made one of two after being fouled and Telfair missed a
three. Hamilton, playing big fourth quarter and overtime minutes
with Boozer, went into his shot and was fouled and made both:
98-95 with 1:16 left.
Telfair missed another three as he cooled. Hinrich got fouled on
a defensive rebound and made one of two as the Bulls free throw
shooting still was spotty at 18 of 25. Leading 99-95, Brown
drove and was fouled for a three point play to bring the Suns
within 99-98 with 52.1 second left.
Boozer missed a 19 footer, but Brown missed a drive. Hamilton
was fouled, but only made one of two before Tucker tied it with
9.4 seconds left as Noah deflected a pass that went to him.
Brown blocked a last shot for Hamilton to go to overtime.
And then the Bulls dominated.
“I thought we let them off the hook,” said Hamilton. “We played
an extra five minutes I thought we shouldn’t have. But we came
through when we had to.”
#Post#: 637--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: Phill23 Date: March 28, 2013, 12:47 am
---------------------------------------------------------
BULLS BEAT THE HEAT AND STOPPED THE STREAK!!! YAAAYYY!!!
#Post#: 648--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: Phill23 Date: May 2, 2013, 5:53 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Come on Bulls! Win this game tonight!
#Post#: 649--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: JBN Date: May 2, 2013, 6:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I doubt they will.
#Post#: 650--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: Phill23 Date: May 2, 2013, 7:03 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hey buddy!!! You may be right especially since Hinrich is out
but Brooklyn is just not that good. No way should Nate Robinson
be killing these guys. IF the Bulls don't seal the deal tonight
that's the end.
How's it going???
#Post#: 651--------------------------------------------------
Re: GAME DAY TALK!!!
By: Phill23 Date: May 3, 2013, 6:12 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Man these injuries and sickness is beating the Bulls more than
the Nets. If they had healthy bodies this would've been a
cakewalk for the Bulls.
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