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NBA -- Bulls edge Pacers, avoid season sweep
By Ricardo Gardunio PhilBoxing.com Sun, 24 Mar 2013

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls played good team basketball and were able to avoid a season series sweep at the hands of the Indiana Pacers Saturday night, beating the Indiana Pacers barely, 87-84 at a fullhouse United Center.
The Bulls, who improved to 37-31 and keep their No.6 spot in the crowded Eastern Conference standings, were able to get contributions from the usual suspects as well as a few lesser house-hold names.
Once again short-handed without superstar point guard Derrick Rose and Rip Hamilton, the Bulls added Joakim Noah to their unable to play list. The hard-charging Noah is also likely out for the Bulls' encounter against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a lingering plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Noah's absence meant a start for seldom used back-up center Nazir Mohammed, who answered the call in extended minutes with 11 points seven rebounds, and three assists.
But it was the steady hands of all-purpose forward Luol Deng that saved the Bulls. Deng finished with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Carlos Boozer contributed 18 and 10 boards. Veteran shooter Daequan Cook also hit some key buckets for Chicago and played fairly well with nine points, five rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes.
Pacers All-Star Paul George led the way for the Pacers with 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls travel to Minnesota tomorrow to face a Ricky Rubio-led Timberwolves squad that have very little to play for this season and even less to lose. (RG)
Photo: Indy's 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert grabs a reobund in Saturday night's Bulls-Pacers tiff at the United Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ricardo Gardunio.
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