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On balance, the Chicago Bulls had one thing going for them in Monday’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the United Center: balanced scoring. All five Bulls starters scored in double figures. And that was a good thing for the Bulls, who needed just about any and all points in scoring an 86-81 victory.
Cristina was the featured Luvabull on the scoreboard at Monday’s game.
Beyond that, it was a game that featured struggling offenses (or if you prefer to look at it another way, if fetured stifling defense — trust me it was struggling offenses at play). Along with that were a fair number of empty seats (presumably sold but not used because attendance was announced at the sellout level of 21,628).
Of course, the object of the Bulls’ exercise was to win. So on that account, they were successful for the fifth consecutive contest. Which mean Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau wasn’t objecting to the outcome, even if the offensive execution (36 percent shooting from the field) was off target.
Bulls forward Luol Deng led all scorers with 21 points. Bulls forward Carlos Boozer had a game-high 17 rebounds. The Bulls (6-3), who embark on their annual circus trip beginning Thursday at Denver, did hit 6-of-12 three-pointers. Meaning for the second game in a row they shot better from long range than from two-point distance.
The Bulls went 10 minutes with scoring a basket in the second half. Their saving grace wa making 25-of-31 free throws for the game to the Bobcats’ 8-of-16.
“They are great defensively,” Thibodeau said of the Bobcats. “Steve Clifford is a hell of a coach. He has done an unbelievable job with them.”
“The difference in the game came down to two things: free throws missed and being outscored by 18 at the line,” Clifford said. “That was the tale of the game.”
Bulls guard Derrick Rose was 4-of-13 from the field but had five of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.
“I liked that Derrick showed a lot of perseverance,” Thibodeau said. “He had timely buckets late. … Each game he has gotten better and better. I am good with where he is. … You have to find different ways to win, and we were able to do that tonight. I think also the game is starting to slow down for Derrick. He’s competing very hard defensively, and he is reading how defenses are play our team.”
“I’m going to have games where I shoot great,” Rose said. “I’m going to have games where I miss the majority of my shots. But winning takes care of everything, I’m fine.”
Well, depending on your definition of “fine.”
Some Luvabulls and postgame video:
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