CHICAGO -- Throughout some bad stretches this season, the Bulls have played down to the level of their competition. It's a disturbing habit that reared its ugly head Monday night when the lowly 8-28 Cleveland Cavaliers visited the United Center.
But after surrendering 30 first quarter points, the Bulls quit fooling around and put the defensive clamps like they know how. The result was an easy 118-92 beating of the Cavaliers, who scored just 62 points the rest of they way and were held to just 33-of-78 from the field (42.3 percent).
Small forward Taj Ginson best described to NBA.com how the Bulls can be devastating: "When we are right, we are a tough team to beat. We have some of the toughest guys in the league on our team."
Two of those "tough" guys were Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah who combined for 35 points and 22 rebounds. Luol Deng had 19 points and seven assists while Gibson chipped in 18 points and seven rebounds. Nate Robinson flourished off the bench with 14 and seven assists.
"They have a way of taking you out of games at times," Cavs head coach Byron Scott told NBA.com
The Bulls, who improved to 19-13 to retake the Central Division lead over the 20-14 Indiana Pacers, mangled the Cavs off the boards, 47-31. The assists battle was just as one-sided, 34-19.
Reserve Dion Waiters led the Cavaliers with 18 while starters Kyrie Irving and C.J. Miles finished with 15 each. (HDS)
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