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Dan Peters
Sports Editor
Oak Park
Journal
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© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Bulls See
Red and Clinch a NBA Playoff Birth....As Bobcats Sent Packing 113 to 106
By
Mark Rotor
March 11th, 2009
Long and Winding Road To Playoffs
After a long season of highs and lows the Chicago Bulls received
good news on Friday as they were notified that Oklahoma Thunder the
defeated New Orleans Hornets (84-81) eliminated the Hornets
from playoffs consideration and assuring Chicago no worst than
an 8th playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
For the first time since the 2006-07 season the Bulls fans will reenter
the post season playoff derby with a opportunity to improve
their playoff pairing by winning out their last two games against
the Detroit Piston and the Toronto Raptors. As of game time,
Chicago was positioned to pair-up with the (64-15) Eastern Conference
leading Cleveland Cavaliers and MVP candidate LeBron James.
When asked about clinching a playoff birth Ben Gordon commented:
“I was surprised, this was the first time I ever cliched a playoff
spot sitting on by couch at home.” With Chicago assured a position
from the 8th to potentially 6th place they went to work on Friday
against the 35-44 Charlotte Bobcats out of the playoff hunt and
playing only for pride.
A
Double-Double for the Intense Joakim Noah 11-points & 10-Boards
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Locked and Loaded for Bobcat
Having won 6 games in a row and 13 of 14 at the United Center, Chicago
was poised to jump at the Bobcats from the opening tip taking a
10-point
lead mid-way in the first quarter jump-started by the aggressive play
of
Derrick Rose and boosted in the 2nd half by the prolific scoring of Ben
"The Scoring Machine" Gordon with 39-points leading the Bulls to
111-106
solid win over Michael Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats.
"Rookie of the Year" candidate Derrick Rose sparkled in the 80th game
of
the season demonstrated his “attack mode” blazing pass defenders and
beating
them with his the jump shot as Rose was the early catalyst for
Chicago’s offense.
His shooting was an uncanny 6 for 6 from the field with 4-assist
scoring
12-points in the quarter.
“He's becoming the quarterback more and more and I love to see it,”
said
Head Coach Vinny Del Negro. Rose continue to display his point-gaurd
prowess
throughout the game calling plays to keep the team under control.
Bobcat's Emeka Okafor with the Flush on Tyrus Thomas
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Cats Gone Wild
Raymond Felton and his fellow Bobcats entered the night knowing that
their
playoff hopes were shattered however, they still preformed admirably
with
strong contributions from Charlotte’s five starters each scoring in
double
figures to help play spoiler to the Bulls as they attempted to improve
their
playoff position. Head coach Larry Brown commented: “We lost one last
night
and we are out of the playoffs. I was so proud we came out and after
getting
down early we came out and competed. We got control of the game but we
just
didn't get anything and we threw the ball all over. We gave them easy
opportunities.”
Felton, Diaw and Company
Although, the Bobcats did give up their share of turnovers (15) Felton
keep the Cats alive scoring 17-points in the first half finishing with
26-points, 7-assist and two three-pointes to keep Chicago in check
throughout the contest.
Forward Boris Diaw also made his 6’ foot 8” presence know especially in
the
3rd quarter dropping 22-points on the Bull’s defenders including Tyrus
Thomas
shooting 9 for 18 from the field to help establish an 83-78 comeback
for the
Charlotte at the end of the 3rd quarter. Diaw finished the game with
24-points
and was 2 of 5 from the 3-point line.
1st round draft choice Center Emeka Oakfor and rookie D.J Augustin
contributed
to Charlotte's cause with Oakfor scoring a double-double
(13-points/14-rebounds)
and Augustine running the Bobcats offense scoring 15-points while
distributing
7-assist.
"Rapid
Fire" Ben Gordon Shows He Can Take It To The Rack
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Gordon The "Scoring Machine"..
Ben Gordon's explosive firepower ignited Chicago's 2nd quarter offense
scoring 14-points while shooting 3 of 4 from 3-point range to end the
half
with 21-points. Gordon's red hot barrage throughout the 4th quarter
paced
Chicago's offense while hitting key baskets in the quarter. Bulls were
down by 4-points (92-88) as Gordon keep them in the fight by attacking
the basket
drawing contact and making two free-throws to pull the Bulls within
2-points.
Heroics continued as Brad Miller scored tying the game at 92 all on
a reverse lay-up followed by two huge game changing 3-points by
John Salmons and by Gordon in secession. The 3-pointers turned-out to
be
the pivotal moment in the game as the Bulls took the lead beginning
Charlotte’s demise at 98-93 with .
“Give them credit, they made shots. Gordon was on fire. One big play w
hen we had a one point lead, we got a rebound and then tripped and John
Salmons hit a big three. I think that was an omen,” said Charlotte’s
head
coach Larry Brown.
Salmons
Lines-up a 3-Pointer Scored 19-Points
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
The Dagger
Salmons scored 19-points on four 3-pointers, three assist and two
steals
adding a knock-out punch to the combative Bobcats. However, the
sharp-shooting
of Gordon 4th quarter buried the Cats in the final minutes of play
allowing the Chicago to take as much as a 10-point lead with a minute
left in
the game. Gordon shot an outstanding 13 for 25 from the field finishing
the
game with 39-points to lead all scores.
“It just seems like we've been able to turn it up in the fourth quarter
and
really get rolling. Coming into the playoffs, we need to figure out how
to
play that well in the first half also. We just have to continue to play
hard.
We have to realize that when we get on the road we're not going to have
the
crowd to feed off of. We need to come out with intensity right away,”
commented
Ben Gordon.
Slam
Dunk Celebration Joakim Noah Style
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
Over the Hump - 41 Wins & 40 Losses
Chicago punctuated the contest with a final 3-pointer by Gordon with
one minute to play capping-off a resolute team victory by the final
score 113-106. With the victory Chicago is now one game above .500
at 41 wins and 40 losses for the first time this season since week #2.
Regardless if the Bulls finish in the eight spot and play Cleveland
or in the seventh sport and are paired with Boston, Chicago
will have quite a challenge playing a team that has won 20 games more
than Chicago. But considering that in late January the Bulls were
at 23-30 in the standings losing home game to teams with
lesser records, Chicago has made quite a turn-aound since the
the Salmons and Miller trade winning 11 their last 18 games and
clinching
a playoff birth. Given the turnaround, the players and management
staff should be given their due making huge stride toward a winning
future taking the a first step in the the right direction.
The opportunity for the young Bulls to experience playoff intensity
will likely pay dividends down the road as the seeming unlimited
potential of Derrick Rose is revealed and the cast of team mates
are solidified over the next few years. If the Bulls and John Paxton
continues their progress Chicago may have a chance chance to taste
champagne and make their way to NBA Finals in the not so distant
future.
Bulls Schedule -Next Bulls Game:
Home VS. Toronto
Wednesday March 15th at 7:00PM CT Game Time
Radio - ESPN AM 1000
TV - Comcast Chicago Sportsnet
Bulls Playoff Schedule -Next Bulls Game To Be Determined:
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
photo by Mark Rotor
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