GAME THREAD: NBA: SEATTLE (5-16) at CHICAGO (6-12)

By Bruce Levine
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Ben Gordon had 27 points, six assists andfive rebounds as the Chicago Bulls had their biggest first halfof the season and routed the Seattle SuperSonics, 123-96, onTuesday night.


Luol Deng scored 20 points for Chicago, which finished the lasteight minutes of the second quarter on a 27-14 run en route to a67-49 lead at intermission and never looked back.


Joe Smith scored a season-high 19 points for the Bulls, whocontinued to pour it on in the second half on their way to theirfifth win in their last seven games.


"We needed a game like this," Smith said. "It seems like wehave been in a dogfight every night. With a game (Wednesdaynight), it's good to get the guys some rest."


Chicago built its lead to 27 points at 91-64 on a 3-pointer byKirk Hinrich with 3:14 left in third quarter. But it startedoff as a back-and-forth contest.


"It wasn't a defensive gem by either team," Bulls coach ScottSkiles said. "We got loosened up early and shot the ball well,it was clear that we were going to have a good nightoffensively."


The teams were tied at 25-25 with 2:30 to play in the firstquarter. Led by Gordon, Chicago then finished the period on a6-2 run to lead 31-27.


"It was a good night for us offensively," Gordon said. "Ourspacing was good and all of our guys played an unselfish game.We needed a game like this."


Sonics forward Nick Collison made a layup with 8:37 to play inthe second quarter to bring Seattle back within five at 40-35.The Bulls then went on a 11-0 spurt over the next 1:52 to putthe game away.


"During that stretch, we didn't defend," Sonics coach P.J.Carlesimo said. "Give the Bulls credit, they moved the ball allnight and their shots were falling. Joe Smith was unbelievablein the post for them."


Rookie phenom Kevin Durant scored 16 points in 24 minutes forthe Sonics, who have lost three of their last five contests.

"The Bulls just hit some big-time shots," Durant said. "We gavethem open looks all night and they didn't miss them."