casper
12-30-2009, 10:52 AM
BULLS PUSH PACERS' LOSING STREAK TO SEVEN
THE SPORTS NETWORK
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Derrick Rose led all scorers with 28 points, as the Chicago Bulls handed the Indiana Pacers a seventh straight defeat, following a 104-95 win in a Central Division matchup at the United Center.
John Salmons made 3-of-4 three-pointers and added 17 points off the bench, while Luol Deng chipped in with 15 points and eight boards for the Bulls, who were coming off a 96-85 win over New Orleans on Saturday and have won four of their last six overall. Tyrus Thomas had a game-best 15 rebounds to go along with eight points.
"It's a long season," Deng said. "Every team still has a chance of making the playoffs. No team is really out, and that's how you've got to look at it."
Roy Hibbert had a team-high 17 points for Indiana, which has won only three of its last 17 games overall. Mike Dunleavy and Solomon Jones each ended with 13 points.
"We fell behind at the beginning," Hibbert said. "They hit some shots, we weren't able to hit some shots early. But the guys on the bench came ready to go in there and try to relieve some pressure. The guys on the bench did a good job, but ultimately we came up short."
Chicago grabbed a 34-15 lead after the opening 12 minutes, but the Pacers outscored the Bulls 38-23 in the second quarter and trailed by only a 57-53 margin at the half.
In the third, the Bulls continued to hold a slim lead in the early stages until Dunleavy hit a pair of three-pointers and three free-throws to put Indiana ahead 70-68 with a shade under seven minutes to play in the period.
Then with the Pacers up by a point a short time later, Salmons made a pair of a free-throws to ignite a 16-2 Chicago run to close the quarter and the Bulls held an 87-74 lead after three quarters.
Indiana was able to cut the deficit to nine, 97-88, following a Jones free throw with 4:32 to play. However, Rose responded by hitting back-to-back jumpers to make it 101-88 with 3 1/2 minutes left and the Bulls held on in the remaining time on the clock.
Game Notes
Indiana had won two of three and three of the previous five encounters with the Bulls coming in. The Pacers, however, have now dropped three straight and 12 of their last 15 visits to the United Center...Brad Miller had 16 points in a reserve role for Chicago...Indiana fell to 3-13 on the road this season...The Pacers were without Tyler Hansbrough (inner ear infection)...Indiana forward Troy Murphy left with 5:57 remaining in the third quarter with a sprained left ankle and did not return.
THE SPORTS NETWORK
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Derrick Rose led all scorers with 28 points, as the Chicago Bulls handed the Indiana Pacers a seventh straight defeat, following a 104-95 win in a Central Division matchup at the United Center.
John Salmons made 3-of-4 three-pointers and added 17 points off the bench, while Luol Deng chipped in with 15 points and eight boards for the Bulls, who were coming off a 96-85 win over New Orleans on Saturday and have won four of their last six overall. Tyrus Thomas had a game-best 15 rebounds to go along with eight points.
"It's a long season," Deng said. "Every team still has a chance of making the playoffs. No team is really out, and that's how you've got to look at it."
Roy Hibbert had a team-high 17 points for Indiana, which has won only three of its last 17 games overall. Mike Dunleavy and Solomon Jones each ended with 13 points.
"We fell behind at the beginning," Hibbert said. "They hit some shots, we weren't able to hit some shots early. But the guys on the bench came ready to go in there and try to relieve some pressure. The guys on the bench did a good job, but ultimately we came up short."
Chicago grabbed a 34-15 lead after the opening 12 minutes, but the Pacers outscored the Bulls 38-23 in the second quarter and trailed by only a 57-53 margin at the half.
In the third, the Bulls continued to hold a slim lead in the early stages until Dunleavy hit a pair of three-pointers and three free-throws to put Indiana ahead 70-68 with a shade under seven minutes to play in the period.
Then with the Pacers up by a point a short time later, Salmons made a pair of a free-throws to ignite a 16-2 Chicago run to close the quarter and the Bulls held an 87-74 lead after three quarters.
Indiana was able to cut the deficit to nine, 97-88, following a Jones free throw with 4:32 to play. However, Rose responded by hitting back-to-back jumpers to make it 101-88 with 3 1/2 minutes left and the Bulls held on in the remaining time on the clock.
Game Notes
Indiana had won two of three and three of the previous five encounters with the Bulls coming in. The Pacers, however, have now dropped three straight and 12 of their last 15 visits to the United Center...Brad Miller had 16 points in a reserve role for Chicago...Indiana fell to 3-13 on the road this season...The Pacers were without Tyler Hansbrough (inner ear infection)...Indiana forward Troy Murphy left with 5:57 remaining in the third quarter with a sprained left ankle and did not return.