| |
|
NBA -- Bulls weather Thunder in OKC
By Anthony Rozic PhilBoxing.com Sun, 27 Dec 2015

CHICAGO -- Despite an up and down season marred by inconsistent play and injuries, the Chicago Bulls had plenty to cheer on Christmas Day.
Jimmy Butler swished 23 points while Pau Gasol, a steady force in this trying season, served up 21 points and 13 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls stunned the OKC Thunder, 105-96, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.
Entering the contest on the heels of a three-game losing streak, the Bulls demonstrated the effort that was lacking in previous outings. They outrebounded the Thunder 53-48 and produced 22 assists.
Derrick Rose made only 7-of-18 shots but the former MVP managed 19 points while Taj Gibson pitched in 13 points and 10 rebounds as Chicago improved to 16-11, second behind the 19-8 Cleveland Cavaliers in the Central Division.
"I think we did a really good job of making sure we closed out to 3-point shooters. We trusted the game plan. We know K.D. is a great 3-point shooter, Morrow and Westbrook when his feet are set, and you just can't let them get hot. Everybody else on the team, we forced them to make shots and make plays," Rose told NBA.com.
Kevin Durant finished with a game-high 29 points and his sidekick Russell Westbrook came in with 26 points and eight assists, but the Thunder, who saw their 8-game home winning streak broken, made only 37 of 96 field goals (38.5 percent) and 6-of-24 from long distance (25 percent).
Despite the loss, the 20-10 Thunder remained on top of the Northwest Division and third overall in the Western Conference.
Photo: Taj Gibson scored 13 points and 10 rebounds to help the Bulls derail the OKC Thunder, 105-96, on Christmas Day.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Anthony Rozic.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Thailand’s Niyomtrong “Knockout CPF” Decisions Junior Zárate, Becomes World Champion Again By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025WORLD RANKED FILIPINO BOXERS AS OF DECEMBER 2025 BY THE RING, WBC, WBA, IBF, AND WBO By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on Tuesday, January 13th at The UFC Gym North Brunswick in North Brunswick, NJ , Fri, 05 Dec 2025Severino and Mendoza win Blitz Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025Herlan Gomez Departs for Australia for Moloney Fight Saturday on DAZN By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 04 Dec 2025KENNETH LLOVER DEFENDS OPBF TITLE IN FOURTH FIGHT OF 2025 , Thu, 04 Dec 2025Canoy, Mama, Into Contend in IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Dec 2025CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH 2: REMATCH SEASON FULL FIGHT CARD SET , Thu, 04 Dec 2025MERRY FISTMAS! World-Ranked KO Artist Ramon Cardenas Faces Erik Robles in ProBoxTV Main Event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, December 18 , Thu, 04 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras By Eric Armit, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025Soledad wins WBC Asian Continental title By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025A night of power, legacy, and UAE pride: IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships opens in spectacular fashion in Dubai , Wed, 03 Dec 2025OKC Thunder is NBA 2025-2026 Strongest Team By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025Who was Clever Sison? By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025MATCHROOM BOXING RETURNS TO FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS WITH MURATALLA-CRUZ FIGHT, JAN. 24, 2026 , Wed, 03 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Featherweight Luis Nuñez Prepares for Hector Sosa Showdown on PBC on Prime Video , Wed, 03 Dec 2025Darry Bernardo, 4 other Pinoys in hot start in 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025Two Pacquiaos on same card? By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 4: 1924 OLYMPICS AT PARIS, FRANCE By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed UTP National Team Shines at 40th Penang Open, Captures Multiple Titles By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC 63th Annual Convention Opens in Bangkok By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor closing out a strong 2026 , Tue, 02 Dec 2025USA Boxing Announces Partnership with Xempower USA , Tue, 02 Dec 2025THE RING 6: TEOFIMO-SHAKUR SET FOR JANUARY SHOWDOWN IN NEW YORK , Tue, 02 Dec 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|