The last time the Chicago Bulls saw the Atlanta Hawks (last week) they walked away feeling like they were punished for a crime they didn't commit. Why not? The Bulls pretty much gave up a 19-point lead to end up losing by three to the Hawks. Feeling demoralized and ashamed they went into last nights contest thinking if they have the Hawks down, their going to keep them down. The Bulls did just that with a 94-76 victory in the United Center. Chicago wasn't bothered by the fact that Carlos Boozer was absent due to a sprained left ankle he suffered in the previous game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Kurt Thomas started in his place and hauled down 13 rebounds. Prior to the game Luol Deng was listed as questionable because of a left thigh bruise but ended up playing and poured in 18-points. Most of the Bulls fury came from Derrick Rose who vowed after the last loss to Atlanta, he would not let something like this happen again. Rose finished with 34-points, 6 rebounds and five assists with a surge of 18 points in the third quarter. In the first half Rose looked like he was having a repeat performance from their previous meeting by going 2-11. Rose must of took some "Jordan juice" to come back and spur that rally in the second half.
The Hawks countered with Joe Johnson's team leading 16-points. Josh Smith added 15 and former Chicago Bulls Jamal Crawford scored 14. At one point the Bulls held the Hawks scoreless for a good seven minutes. This loss just adds to the Hawks 4-game winless streak since defeating the Bulls last week Wednesday.
Last nights win coupled with the Boston Celtics loss to the Sixers brings the Bulls within a 1/2 a game of the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
“If us winning games puts us ahead of them, that’ll be great, but our thing is trying to keep this thing going,” - Derrick Rose
Exactly, the Bulls already clinched the Central Division title with their win against the Bobcats the other night. This is the first time since the 1998 season the Bulls held the division title and you know who was running the show.....Rose is right though this Bulls team should set their goals higher, just like that squad back in 98' when the Bulls hoisted their last NBA Championship.
Speaking of championships, this Saturday Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and must of their former teammates will be on hand as the Bulls celebrate the 20th anniversary of their first championship at halftime of the Bulls versus the Utah Jazz. That is going to be a nice walk down memory lane.....nuff said
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