Bulls lose to Spurs ?B? squad

The Bulls have notoriously played to the level of their competition all season, and tonight?s game was no different.

The Chicago Bulls returned home from a 6 game road trip to lose to the best team in the league, the San Antonio Spurs. Although their 3 best players (Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli) were out due to various injuries, the Spurs did not lose a step.

In a game in which the 2 best coaches in the league squared off, Greg Popovich?s Spurs won out. The Spurs were able to capitalize on 29 points off of 19 turnovers by the Bulls, while making life difficult on the offensive end all night.

Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 26 points for the Spurs and was very effective in defending Luol Deng, who struggled to find his rhythm on the offensive end and shot 4-13 from the field for 11 points.

The Spurs spaced the floor well and made the extra pass when necessary. They also limited their turnovers to 8, although they were outrebounded by a long-shot, 49-26 in favor of the Bulls.

Nate Robinson, who has continued to play well of late, led the Bulls with 20 points on 8-15 shooting from the field but struggled on the defensive end against the larger point guards of the Spurs. Nate struggled with the pick and roll and was a -22 in the +/- category.

Joakim Noah still doesn?t quite look to be 100% out there and appears to still be bothered by his foot injury. The injury could potentially keep him out of his first ever All-Star game this weekend.

Tom Thibodeau was so unhappy with his team?s play that he stood up the whole game screaming at his team.

The Bulls last game before the All Star break is this Wednesday against the red-hot Boston Celtics who have been on a tear since losing their all-star point guard, Rajon Rondo.

Photo: Even without Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Stephen Jackson, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Bulls 103-89, at the United Center.