Last time these two teams met, it took close to ten minutes past the final buzzer to determine a winner. Bulls center Brad Miller hit an off-balance 21-foot jumper at the buzzer, with originally just 0.3 seconds left. The shot was counted as invalid, and the Nuggets won the game.
Tonight, the Bulls hope to even the season series, in their final meeting with Denver this season. After a 15-point defeat against the NBA champion Lakers on Thursday, the Bulls are now playing with a chip on their shoulder. Point guard Derrick Rose looked visibly upset during the second half of the Lakers game, aggresively taking the ball to the hole and finishing with 20 points on the evening.
Chicago Bulls @ Denver Nuggets, 8:00 PM WGN
Guard/forward John Salmons hit for 18 during the first half, but was helt scoreless after halftime. Center Joakim Noah, who went up against Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, impressed yet again. The 240-pounder fought hard for rebounds, boxed out and blocked two shots on the evening, adding to his statline of 12 points, 15 rebounds, four steals and four assists.
Brad Miller chipped in 15 points and got to the free throw line nine times. Against Nuggets center Nene, Miller will continue to take advantage of his scoring touch from the outside, and hopefully take the Brazilian out of the paint.
Luol Deng, averaging 16.4 points and nine rebounds on the year, had an off-game against Los Angeles, wrapping up just six points and six rebounds in 36 minutes of play. Deng did a good job on Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony at the United Center eleven days ago, where he forced the All-Star to shoot just eight-for-22 on the night, adding up to just 20 points, ten below his season average.
Rookie forward Taj Gibson come into tonights game averaging 6.9 points and 4.8 rebounds. his match-up tonight will be Kenyon Martin, the athletic top draft pick from 2000. chicago's other rookie, forward James Johnson, has seen few minutes, but contributed some during this west coast road trip for the Bulls. The 6'9 forward from Wake Forest could see a substancial increase in minutes, if he carries over his two performances from Sacramento and Los Angeles.
Brad Miller chipped in 15 points and got to the free throw line nine times. Against Nuggets center Nene, Miller will continue to take advantage of his scoring touch from the outside, and hopefully take the Brazilian out of the paint.
Luol Deng, averaging 16.4 points and nine rebounds on the year, had an off-game against Los Angeles, wrapping up just six points and six rebounds in 36 minutes of play. Deng did a good job on Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony at the United Center eleven days ago, where he forced the All-Star to shoot just eight-for-22 on the night, adding up to just 20 points, ten below his season average.
Rookie forward Taj Gibson come into tonights game averaging 6.9 points and 4.8 rebounds. his match-up tonight will be Kenyon Martin, the athletic top draft pick from 2000. chicago's other rookie, forward James Johnson, has seen few minutes, but contributed some during this west coast road trip for the Bulls. The 6'9 forward from Wake Forest could see a substancial increase in minutes, if he carries over his two performances from Sacramento and Los Angeles.
80 Comments
Doug Thonus said:
Denver just lost to the Clippers last night. I like the fact that they're on a back to back, but they'll be hungry after the loss.
Morten Stig Jensen said:
Pretty much says it all. They're competitive, and coming off a loss is going to make them fiesty. Second game in a back to back also doesn't necessarily mean all that much when you're at home, IMO.
We'll see how it plays out. I'm optimistic, but Denver could still kick our butt.
Doug Thonus said:
I'm not really that optimistic. Denver didn't shoot the ball well at all the first time out and still managed to win on our home floor.
It's going to be tough to better that effort against a pissed off Denver team on their floor. I think a back to back always means something. They did have a travel day in between.
MrHappy said:
If Rose, Deng and Noah come out aggressive, then I like the Bulls chances. Also, the Bulls bench has to outplay the Denver bench, if they plan on winning.
Simeon2UC said:
Rose is telling some of the Bulls' fans to eat nuts. They were talking about Jennings is better than Rose... stop it lamers! Him and Deng are back!
Doug Thonus said:
Wow, bummer, for some reason I thought this game started at 9, and I've missed the first 45 minutes. Looks like the Bulls played quite well in them too.
Doug Thonus said:
Bulls defense playing great, then they give up a WIDE open corner three for Billups. Hate to see a guy have 3 full seconds on an easy corner to get their offense going. Lawson gets a 5 foot jumper on the next play.
Doug Thonus said:
Bulls have really gotten the benefit of the doubt from the refs on the 5 minutes of game i've watched so far.
Doug Thonus said:
And the Bulls get two dicey calls against them since then.
Doug Thonus said:
Apparently I'm the offensive charm for the game, as the scoring has about tripled in pace since I've turned on the game.
Derrick Rose looked hot early, but he's been really bad since I turned it on. I think I should turn the game back off.
Newskoolbulls said:
Wow Rose release looks amazing tonight.
Doug Thonus said:
Derrick Rose is on Billups who's just scored 13 of the last 15 points and hasn't missed a shot over that stretch.
Why do we have Derrick Rose defending their best shot creator?
Newskoolbulls said:
James Johnson looks in horrid shape.
Doug Thonus said:
Well a 3 point lead at the half is better than a 3 point deficit, but a very discouraging 2nd quarter.
Simeon2UC said:
James Johnson looks so smooth with the ball. It's a sight to see! I like the sloppy look lol.
Doug Thonus said:
The amazing Taj Gibson shows off his defense that everyone loves by completely failing to box someone out on a rebound and give up a wide open 2 footer.
Doug Thonus said:
Gibson follows up by completely failing to help on a drive by Anthony despite standing directly in front of his path to the basket, he just jumps out of the way.
Doug Thonus said:
I shouldn't rip on Taj though, he had great numbers in the 1st quarter which I didn't get to see, so I can't hammer the guy too much since he must have played well early.
Doug Thonus said:
VDN goes with the quick timeout. Always interesting to take one this fast as you never know if it's needed to cut momentum, but it doesn't give you much margin for error in your time out usage later.
Doug Thonus said:
How do we take a timeout and get a contested 20 footer out of Luol Deng where he never passes the ball after the inbounds?
Doug Thonus said:
Nice offensive board for Gibson, giving us something when we really need it. He splits the FTs, but at least gets us on the board again.
Newskoolbulls said:
sick dunk by Kenyon however over the back call c'mon
Doug Thonus said:
Gibson goes out and misses another box out for another open dunk for the Nuggets.
Newskoolbulls said:
Bulls defense keeping them in this, 2 straight turnovers by Denver.
Doug Thonus said:
Wow, Deng with a monster offensive board and dunk.
Newskoolbulls said:
Deng baby is officially back. Monster put back.
Newskoolbulls said:
How did Taj get a T?
Doug Thonus said:
Taj Gibson got T'd up for something, and seems to be protesting that he got screwed.
Newskoolbulls said:
Damn Afflalo is driving Rose crazy with his defense.
Doug Thonus said:
Ever notice that when the Bulls get the switch and you have Derrick Rose on Kenyon Martin that he never just takes Martin off the dribble? That's the purpose of the switch to get a guy you can kill off the dribble and then do it.
Wow, Martin just hit a prayer.
Doug Thonus said:
Carmelo bailed out.
Doug Thonus said:
Deng drawing the cheap foul on Nene. I hate that call where a guy jumps and you jump into him on purpose. Still, nice veteran move.
Newskoolbulls said:
Deng with a pump fake and draws the foul. Nice.
Doug Thonus said:
Brad Miller draws a lot of contact for a guy who didn't get a call. Kirk Hinrich not paying attention (ugh).
Doug Thonus said:
My god, Salmons missing a 1 footer.
Doug Thonus said:
Bulls are just getting really sloppy. The Nuggets are giving them plenty of chances, but they're missing easy shots, making stupid turnovers, taking bad looks.
Doug Thonus said:
Wow, on that replay Anthony either completely double dribbled or it should have been a jump ball. You can't dribble, go up, come down with the ball and dribble again. It's either a travel, double dribble, or jump ball [if it was touched by a bull while in the air]
Newskoolbulls said:
I would bet my life that Chis Andersen has atleast 1 std.
Doug Thonus said:
No one is taking that bet.
Newskoolbulls said:
why are announcers still calling Earl Smith JR? He said he wants to go by Earl now.
Doug Thonus said:
He changed his mind 8 hours after his first announcement and wanted to stay with JR.
Dpauley23 said:
They look really winded out there though. Vinny needs to get Deng, Salmons, and Taj out to give them some rest. I mean why the hell is Noah coming out before Taj anyway
Doug Thonus said:
VDN has unnatural Taj love. He's his Duhon.
Newskoolbulls said:
nice heads up move by Brad Miller.
Newskoolbulls said:
Nice Rose.
Doug Thonus said:
Wow, I thought Rose might have missed that one the net moved so little.
Newskoolbulls said:
Earl with a 28 ft 3.
rynyen said:
JR Smith = athletic version of Pargo
Doug Thonus said:
JR Smith is a tall version of Pargo who actually shoots at a good percentage.
Newskoolbulls said:
JR Smith makes Tyrus look like Einstein.
Doug Thonus said:
We could desperately use a JR Smith right now.
Newskoolbulls said:
The kid can shoot but he has so much baggage. We could have gotten more for him when we dealt him but i could never support a thug like him on my team.
rynyen said:
but has poor shot selection a la Pargo
Doug Thonus said:
Well, from up 3 to down 4. Still in the game, but the play is going to need to step up considerably.
Newskoolbulls said:
Rose is back officially. Sick floater.
Doug Thonus said:
Tough shot by JR Smith.
Tough shot by Derrick Rose.
Newskoolbulls said:
Damn JR another deep one. We look in trouble.
Doug Thonus said:
It's so hard to stay in the game when you can't get any 3 point plays and the other team can.
Newskoolbulls said:
well thats games folks.
Dpauley23 said:
No point in watching these jokes anymore
Newskoolbulls said:
Brad miller sucks, get a board for christ sake.
Newskoolbulls said:
Bulls need to throw an elbow at JR and send a message.
Newskoolbulls said:
well I am done with this game. Embarassing 2nd half.
Dpauley23 said:
Does Hinrich know there's game tonight?
Simeon2UC said:
Hinrich was worth keeping again tonight. Salmons was great.
Simeon2UC said:
Great defense Hinrich!
Newskoolbulls said:
Its hard to win games when roster spots are taking up by Lindsey Hunter, Aaron Gray, and Jerome James.
Simeon2UC said:
Ben Gordon!
rynyen said:
It is sad to see the bulls giving up on this game. Absolutely pathetic.
Rose has bad handles.
Dpauley23 said:
Nuggets just have better players
Newskoolbulls said:
John Salmons is an embarassement. Makes me miss BG even though i now hate him lol.
Doug Thonus said:
Wow, wife gets home with the groceries, I go to help put them away and this game went from bad to worse.
Bulls are now -32 since I started watching the game.
Newskoolbulls said:
What a guy Doug. The other night folding laundry and now helping with groceries, wife hit the jackpot. Anyway yea JR went off and Bulls failed to put an elbow into his face. In the 80s and 90s players would never let a player go off like that without some payback.
Simeon2UC said:
JJ efficient once again in morsel minutes. Bulls coaches are too conservative. Next game:
Rose
Deng
Johnson
Gibson
Noah
Dpauley23 said:
Are you high?
Simeon2UC said:
Post Deng up and spread the other four out. Run the offense through him on some plays.
Dpauley23 said:
Deng has no post game though
Biggestbullsfan said:
So Doug, Do you think if we go winless on the road trip there will be changes made by managament or Del Negro?
Better question, is there any moves we could make that would keep us in the same positioning for the summer but make us a better team? AKA Get rid of Salmons or Hinrich for a better SG or sumtin.
Biggestbullsfan said:
Also Doug, What would we do if Salmons doesnt opt out next year? What is our salary situation like?
MrHappy said:
In a word, PATHETIC!!!
Not only did the Chicago Bulls blow a 14 point 2nd quarter lead, which they turned into a 19 point loss, they QUIT in the process.
It's obvious now that John Paxson and Gar Forman need to find better players. Players who have HEART, SKILL and CHARACTER. Three traits that are SORELY MISSING on this current Bulls roster.
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