<div align="center"> <font color=""White"">@</font> <font color=""Darkred"">Chicago Bulls (3-4)</font> @ <font color=""DarkGreen"">Seattle SuperSonics (3-5)</font> Time: 9:30 PM TV: NBALP, WGN <u>Probable Starting Five</u> <font color="DarkRed">Chicago Bulls</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""DarkRed"">PG</font>- Chris Duhon <font color=""DarkRed"">SG</font>- Kirk Hinrich <font color=""DarkRed"">SF</font>-Andres Nocioni <font color=""DarkRed"">PF</font>- Darius Songaila <font color=""DarkRed"">C</font>- Tyson Chandler</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Scott Skiles</font> ____________________________ <font color="DarkGreen"> Seattle SuperSonics</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""DarkGreen"">PG</font>- Luke Ridnour <font color=""DarkGreen"">SG</font>-Ray Allen <font color=""DarkGreen"">SF</font>-Rashard Lewis <font color=""DarkGreen"">PF</font>- Vladimir Radmanovic <font color=""DarkGreen"">C</font>- Nick Collison</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Bob Weiss</font> <u>Injury Report</u> <font size=""1""> C. Duhon (Probable) Obtained: Nov 10, 2005 Injury: Right heel contusion K. Hinrich (Probable) Obtained: Nov 2, 2005 Injury: Left game - sprained left ankle </font></div> <u>Game Most Valuable Player</u> [IMGR]http://www.nba.com/media/sonics/gordon_210_050315.jpg[/IMGR] One, the number of times Ben Gordon has failed to score double digit points this season. Ben Gordon has played brilliant basketball up to this point in the season for the Chicago Bulls organization. Air Gordon has seen less than thirty minutes of action two of the last three weeks, and the Bulls are 1-2 during that span of time. This offense has run into a brick wall these past two weeks shooting under thirty percent in both of their loses. It’s time for them to respond to their critics, also known as the local media, and have a big game. If this happens you can count on Ben Gordon leading the charge for the Bulls. He has scored the 7th most three point field goals in the league up to this date, and is really stroking it with his shot. His field goal percentage (36%) does not show it, but he has improved his shot tremendously this year, and is more than just a slasher. If a defender gives him room he can knock down any reasonable attempt. <div align="center"><u> Predicited Numbers: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists</u></div> <u>Keys to the Game</u> <ul><font color="DarkRed">Get everyone involved on offense</font> In the games in which the Bulls have four or more players in double digit scoring this season they are two and one. In the games the have less they are one and three I think it’s pretty obvious what they need to do.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed">Try to get a big lead early</font> these tight games are warring on the Bulls. I don’t know how many more close games they can pull off wins in. A blow out win would do wonders for team moral, and confidence in general.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed">Shoot well</font> like I mentioned earlier their shooting under 40% during this two game losing streak. A team can not win when they are making bad decisions out their on the court. Although, this is a young team it’s also a playoff contender, and to be one you have to beat struggling teams, and teams who are not on the same level they are.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed">Stop the Shard and Allen show</font> the Bulls have to play some tough team defense on both of these guys Ray Allen is a great shooter, and if he is given any room to shoot he will knock down the shot. It also does not take him that long to catch fire. When he does there are very few defenders in the league who can even have a viable chance at containing him. Same with Shard who went for 40+ a few nights ago.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkGreen">Play consistent defense</font> the Sonics are beginning to regain their confidence after a nice couple wins recently, but their defense has left something to be desired this season. They allowed the Wizard to score a new MCI center record for points in a game when they played them in Washington, and have played mediocre defense all season long for the most part. This is a playoff team, if they can learn how to stay focused on the defensive end of the court.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkGreen">Force Bulls into one on one situations</font> the Bulls are at their best when they are passing the ball, and getting everyone involved. If the Sonics can force the Bulls into a couple isolation plays in which guys try to go one on one all the time, and take their man off the dribble chances are they can force a bundle of turnovers, and get themselves some easy fast break buckets.[/list] My Prediction: Both teams have below .500 records, and a win would go a long way on getting them back on track. The Bulls need this win more ( a little bias coming from a Bulls fan) because their loses have not only been disappointing they have been heart breaking, and hard to swallow. I am sure there are guys on this team who feel they should be well over .500 right now, but when you look in the standings they are not. I think they come out with emotion, and win this one tonight. I will say the score will be somewhat like Bulls 108 Sonics 96.
Great write up, i like what you've done to it, its more readable and eye friendly. I think this game is ours, we really should walk away winning this, i think nocioni can do a good enough job harrassing lewis and making it difficult for him. This just leaves allen, i dont think we can really stop allen, one thing i have noticed though is allen is shooting pretty bad beyond the arc this season so far.
Finally, Skiles put Sweetney into the starting rotation. Thank goodness I was getting worried about how stubborn Skiles was their for a second. As far as the game goes we are up by two right now in the second quarter. Now if only Skiles would start Deng we could have a even better lineup. Well one step at a time. We are looking good tonight though. Not shooting very well though neither team is both under 40% from the field.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> [IMGR]http://www.nba.com/media/sonics/RAllen_300_051118.jpg[/IMGR]Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen came to the rescue after a sluggish first half for the Seattle SuperSonics. Lewis and Allen scored 27 points apiece to lead the SuperSonics to their third win in four outings, a 98-84 triumph over the slumping Chicago Bulls. Named to his first All-Star team last season, Lewis scored 23 points in the first three quarters and Allen rebounded after shooting just 2-of-10 in the first half to score 20 in the second half, including 12 in the fourth quarter. "I thought we put ourselves in a good situation because we tested our character tonight," Allen said. "We had been unfortunate on the road, playing through fatigue for five games, and we really hadn't fully adjusted to getting rest." The SuperSonics were booed in the second quarter after scoring a season-low 12 points. In the first half, they shot just 23 percent (12-of-37) and trailed, 44-33, at intermission. "If I'm a fan, I am looking at these guys (the Sonics) and thinking these guys are awful," Allen said. "But when we come into the locker room, we can't think that. When bad things happen, you have to see how the team will respond and tonight, we met the challenge." </div> <div align="center"> Box Score l Recap</div>
