vs TORONTO RAPTORS (41-27) @ CHICAGO BULLS (41-28) Game 70, Home Game 36 Friday, March 20, 2015 – 7:00 PM CT United Center WGN-TV / ESPN 1000 AM / WRTO-AM BULLS/RAPTORS STREAKS BULLS CURRENT STREAK ..... 3 Wins BULLS HOME STREAK .............. 1 Win BULLS ROAD STREAK ............. 3 Wins BULLS VS. RAPTORS THIS SEASON Nov. 13 @ Toronto – Bulls 100, Raptors 93 Dec. 22 @ Chicago – Bulls 129, Raptors 120 Mar. 20 @ Chicago – Mar. 25 @ Toronto – Game Notes Chicago Bulls (41-28) Home 21-14 Road 20-14 Bulls Season Averages: PPG: 100.8 (Opp: 98.8) RPG: 45.9 (Opp: 43.6) APG: 21.5 (Opp: 20.7) SPG: 6.07 (Opp: 7.65) BPG: 5.97 (Opp: 5.36) FG%: .439 (Opp: .440) FT%: .786 (Opp: .742) 3p%: .357 (Opp: .331) Probable Bulls starters Aaron Brooks - PG - Tony Snell- SG - Mike Dunleavy - SF - Pau Gasol - PF - Joakim Noah - C - Bulls Stats Leaders Points: Butler 20.2, Gasol 18.4 Rebounds: Gasol 12.1, Noah 9.9 Assists: Rose 5.0, Noah 4.5 Steals: Butler 1.73, Hinrich 0.75 Blocks: Gasol 1.97, Gibson 1.24 FG%: Gasol .494, Gibson .490 FT%: Butler .841, Brooks .834 3FG%: Dunleavy .422, Snell .405 Injury report Jimmy Butler (left elbow sprain), Taj Gibson (left ankle) and Derrick Rose (right knee) are TBD. For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report. Toronto Raptors (41-27) Home 23-12 Road 18-15 Probable Raptors starters Kyle Lowry - PG DeMar DeRozan - SG Terrence Ross - SF Amir Johnson - PF Jonas Valanciunas - C Injury report Kyle Lowry is questionable. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bulls should be able to win this game, Brooks seems to be breaking out of his month-long slump, Niko is playing at an All-Star level and downright domination 4th quarters, and Noah seems to be getting back the bounce in his step. TOR has won 3 of 4 after losing 9 of 10, but their defense is terrible (25th in Def Rtg). If the Bulls win they move up to the 3rd seed and would clinch the tiebreaker with the Raptors if it comes down to that.
Its interesting to listen to the out of town broadcast. They are praising Thibs like crazy for continuing to win with all the injuries and minutes restrictions. Surprised to hear about management thinking of letting Thibs go. Talking about how players like Nate Robinson and DJ Augistin thrive in Chicago. The out of town broadcast and national media is the way to go when looking to escape the Bulls Org spin. They love both Gibson and Mirotic. Bulls fans should too.
Its crazy that you have to listen to the out of town broadcast to hear good things about Thibs this season.
The Bulls announcers are homers in general. Stacey King is really knowledgable when he does the telestrator thing. When he's blowing sunshine up everyone's skirts and saying things in "funny" voices, he's annoying as all hell. Neil Funk is a capable, but bland announcer. More telestrator. Less "too big, too fast, too strong, niiiiikoooola blah blah"
I can't believe Thibs didn't have the balls to pick up the statement technical when Niko just got raped on the 3-point fake in the corner. Then they call the touch foul on Niko on defense. Another one of Thibs' huge weaknesses, he can't work the officials because he spends the entire 48 minutes screaming about stupid shit. I don't think I've ever seen him get a techinical to try and change the momentum when the calls are going against the Bulls.
I cannot believe that Hinrich has played 14 minutes at SG tonight while Moore has only played 7. If you're a Hinrich fan, you surely have to hope that Thibs keeps his job, the Captain is guaranteed to get lots of minutes over better players as long as Thibs is around.
18 point lead, 2:35 to go. Thibs comes back from the time out and STILL can't get Nazr or Bairstow or Moore in the game. Niko and Snell still out there. Why? Does he just WANT someone to get hurt in garbage time? Seriously, a real coach comes back from a timeout with 2:35 left and an 18-point lead, the last 5 guys on the end of the bench are in the game.
Great win tonight. Important game, playoff atmosphere, at home, and the Bulls took care of business. You got the sense the whole team had a real esprit de corps tonight too, which is good to see. Taj is back, and does not have the necessity of playing large minutes which is very nice. I think Niko's going to be clutch in the playoffs. It's interesting that guys seem to have an ability to play well under pressure or they don't, and it seems to stick with them. You can already tell that Niko's a cool cucumber under the bright lights. I don't think Snell is. We know Kirk isn't. Jo and Taj seem to do well in clutch situations. I'm guessing Brooks can handle it. Pau? I'm not sure. Anyways......fun game tonight. Go Bulls!
Good post, that was a very fun game to watch. It's so much fun watching Niko turn into a superstar right before our eyes. If you know anything about scouting you could see a few years ago that this kid just has the "it" factor. It can't be taught, and it can't be learned, you're either born with it or you aren't. It's almost hard to believe that Gar/Pax were able to steal his draft rights with the 23rd overall pick. But getting Niko and Butler in the same draft?
