Bulls Prevail, But Far From Restful for Noah, Butler

April 10, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Thursday thoughts (or reasonable facsimiles thereof): Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah had his fourth triple-double of the season (15 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) Wednesday. He also played 41 minutes. Teammate Jimmy Butler played 46. In a 102-87 victory over the host Minnesota Timberwolves. At some point, coach Tom Thibodeau will learn having players rested heading into the playoffs is important. Probably when he has more players on the bench in whom he has confidence and when he has a more realistic chance of reaching the NBA finals.

There is video of Karen Kennedy below. For those interested. And even if you aren’t.

* Speaking of resting players, the Indiana Pacers did exactly that against the Milwaukee Bucks. And won 104-102. Starters Paul George, Lance Stephenson, Roy Hibbert, David West and George Hill sat out the game. Apparently the top seed in the East does matter to Pacers coach Frank Vogel whose team plays Friday at Miami for the top spot.

* The Cubs defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-5 at Wrigley Field. Cubs starter Jason Hammel (2-0) allowed three hits — all home runs — and struck out six in seven innings. After which first baseman Anthony Rizzo congratulated Hammel on his first National League victory. Huh? “Just make sure that everybody knows that Rizzo was not there with us in Pittsburgh last week,” Hammel said jokingly. “I didn’t know I didn’t win at all in Colorado [2009-11], either.”

* The White Sox bullpen allowed six runs in a 10-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies in Denver. Not good. Starter Erik Johnson, who received a no-decision, allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings. And lowered his earned-run average to 9.58. The statistical analysis department around here has determined that’s not good either.

* Ex-Cub of the day: Second baseman DJ LeMahieu went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in, two runs scored and a stolen base for the Rockies against the White Sox.

* Ex-White Sox of the day: Boston right-hander Jake Peavy allowed three hits and one run in 6 2/3 innings while striking out eight in the Red Sox’ 4-2 victory against Texas at Fenway Park. He lowered his earned-run average to 2.13 and received a no-decision.

* If it’s Thursday (which seems likely because yesterday was Wednesday — provided that today is April 10, 2014, or a subsequent Thursday), then it is time for another edition of “Sports & Torts” with co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris at noon Central time on Talkzone.com. This week’s guests are Pro Football Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Dan Fouts. There also will be a “Throwback Thursday” segment featuring Elena Delle Donne’s first press conference with Chicago media in May, 2013. Delle Donne survived that session to earn WNBA Rookie of the Year honors as a member of the Chicago Sky.

* University of Massachusetts guard Derrick Gordon became the first openly gay Divsion I college basketball player by making it known Wednesday. At some point news such as this will be no big deal. But it is a big deal right now because it is ground-breaking.

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Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the energetic efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):