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NBA -- Bulls Start the New Year In Right Direction
By James Floyd
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 03 Jan 2014
CHICAGO -- If the playoffs started today, the Chicago Bulls (13-18) would have snagged the 8th seed away from the Boston Celtics (13-19) as they reigned victorious 94-82 on Thursday at The United Center.
Even though it?s only January, one can only imagine what the future may hold if the Bulls make the play-offs and remain healthy in a very bleak Eastern Conference.
?We know where we are, we know where we have to go. We are 30 games in and we finally have everyone back. We are still dealing with some minute restrictions, but I think, you get a rhythm from guys practicing at a high intensity level.? Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Similar records are not the only thing the Bulls and Celtics share, they are also both without their best players and respective leaders; Rajon Rondo (torn ACL, right knee) and Derrick Rose (right knee).
A glimmer of hope tonight moving forward in the right direction came from two of the Bulls big men; Carlos Boozer, who began tonight?s game averaging 17.8 points per game, on .539 shooting, and 11.2 rebounds against the Celtics got going early and remained a force for the Bulls. Carlos Boozer (16points, 7 rebounds) and Joakim Noah (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists) who was one assist shy of a triple-double.
?I feel comfortable making plays at the elbow,? Noah said ?When everyone is playing with high-energy and at 100 percent, we function better and our shot at making the play-offs is greater. Once you?re in the play-offs, anything can happen.?
The Bulls were able to bust the game wide open with 6:47 in the 4th quarter when Taj Gibson (12 points) went up for a dunk and was slammed to floor by the Celtics Jared Sullinger. That gave the Bulls their largest lead of the night (13) and handed a flagrant foul down to the 6-9 Forward Sullinger. The Bulls went on a 7-0 run from that point and never looked back.
?I?m lucky,? said Taj Gibson, ?The basketball gods were on my side after a play like that. I fell on my wrist and elbow, which broke the fall. But I?m ok.?
The Bulls continue their four-game home stand with the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. (JF)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by James Floyd.
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