Bulls Win 129-120; Cutler Back as Bears Starting QB

December 23, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Random thoughts (or as close to such things as there are around here) while wondering how many games the Chicago Bulls will win when they allow 120 points without it being an overtime contest:

Video below of Playboy’s January Playmate Brittny Ward.

* Yes, that’s right. The Bulls’ defense (such as it was) gave up 120 points. Fortunately for the Bulls, they scored 129 against Eastern Conference leader Toronto at the United Center — thanks to a team-record 49-point fourth quarter in which Derrick Rose had 15 of his team-high 29 points. No, I am not on any sort of medication that causes hallucinations — although Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau might have needed some sort of blood-pressure and/or pain relief after watching his team allow 33 points in the first and second quarters and 37 in the fourth.

* Speaking of Rose, he was 12-of-19 from the field, including 6-of-6 in the final quarter. Now the trick is to do that on a consistent basis. Missing two games because of illness apparently improved his performance.

* Speaking of Bulls stats, Jimmy Butler led the team in rebounds (11), blocked shots (5) and plus/minus minutes (plus 14). Not to mention minutes played (44). It will be interesting to see how much rest Butler has in the Bulls’ game Tuesday at Washington. Something says it won’t be much, especially because the Bulls’ game after that is Christmas night at home vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. Meaning Butler will have something resembling a day off Wednesday.

* And for the record, the Bulls have a home record better than .500. Their 6-5 home mark is nothing to write home about. Of all the NBA’s teams that would qualify for the playoffs if the season ended today, only Brooklyn (6-7) and Miami (5-9) are worse than .500 at home.

* You’d think the Bears would have to have their collective head examined to play Jay Cutler in the season finale Sunday at Minnesota. Apparently after examining the cranium of Jimmy Clausen, who started in Cutler’s place last Sunday against Detroit, the Bears decided a concussed QB is better-suited not to suit up. Consequently, the team announced Cutler will start. Because? Because the Bears might lose if they start rookie David Fales? Because? Because they want to win one in what likely will be coach Marc Trestman’s final game? Because? Because they want to end the season with the same record as the Vikings? As if 6-10 merits a medal or anything?

* Anybody know the tiebreaker for third place in the NFC North, if the Bears do defeat Minnesota> Anybody care?

* Speaking of the Bears-Lions game, Detroit has a well-earned reputation as one of the dirtiest teams in the NFL. And it has nothing to do with the detergent used to clean their uniforms. Dominic Raiola earned a one-game suspension Monday from the league for stepping on Bears defensive lineman Ego Ferguson. Ego problem? Ego trip? Raiola appears to have one, as well as playing by the rules. He supposedly is going to appeal the penalty. How about double or nothing? That way Raiola could miss a postseason game, too.

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