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March 21 - Chicago Bulls

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  • March 21 - Chicago Bulls

    ESPN Preview:

    With Derrick Rose out, the Chicago Bulls have kept on winning by stepping up their defensive effort.

    The Bulls may be without Rose again as they seek a sixth straight road victory Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors.

    Rose has missed the last four games due to a groin injury and has been sidelined for 14 contests overall this season. Chicago has held up just fine, going 10-4 without him in 2011-12, and winning three of the last four including Monday's 85-59 rout at Orlando.

    The Bulls (38-10), who have also defeated division leaders Philadelphia and Miami during the current stretch, gave up the fewest points in a regular season game in franchise history against the Magic. They turned 19 Orlando turnovers into 25 points and held the Magic to 35.3 percent shooting.

    "The real story honestly is our defense," said Carlos Boozer, who had 24 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago. "Our defense was ... that was probably one of the best performances we've had this season.

    "It was fitting because they kicked our butt in Chicago, (and) got a big win. For us to come back and do this ... it's a big win for us."

    The Bulls have also received a lift off the bench from John Lucas, who scored 20 points Monday while shooting 4 of 7 from 3-point range. He's averaging 14.5 points over the last four games -- more than double his season mark.

    The Raptors know all about the Bulls' defense and depth. Chicago defeated Toronto 77-64 at the United Center on Jan. 14, when Lucas had 10 points and fellow reserve Taj Gibson added 11 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.

    This is the first of two meetings between the teams this week, as Toronto will visit Chicago again Saturday. The Bulls have no games between now and then, meaning the option of resting Rose the rest of the week may be attractive.

    "I haven't been able to run," Rose told the Bulls' official website Monday. "The biggest thing is just staying strong mentally. We're playing good right now. It's definitely hurting me, but I'm keeping a positive attitude."

    The Raptors (15-31) are trying to avoid a third straight loss overall as they return home from a 2/3 road trip that concluded Tuesday with a 106-87 loss at New York.

    Jose Calderon returned from a five-game absence due to a sprained ankle and had 11 points and nine assists, but backup Jerryd Bayless was lost to a left hip pointer in the second half.

    Bayless, who averaged 21.8 points on 54.3 percent shooting while starting in place of Calderon the previous five games, had seven points, four assists and two steals in 13 minutes before leaving Tuesday. His status for Wednesday is uncertain.

    After scoring more than 100 points the previous two games, Toronto struggled offensively, going 2 of 13 from 3-point range.

    "I think we just didn't execute the way we were supposed to and we got a couple of turnovers in a row," Calderon said.

    It also marked the fifth time in seven games the Raptors gave up at least 105 points.

    The Bulls have won five of six against the Raptors -- including the last two -- but lost their most recent visit to Toronto, a 118-113 defeat Feb. 23, 2011.

    The Raptors are 7-14 at home this season. They host the Knicks on Friday before traveling to Chicago for Saturday's rematch.
    Rose is a game time decision.

    I hope a practice was spent on fundamentals of defense. It seems they have forgotten that of late. Anyone pointing to Calderon's return and Bayless' return to the bench as the reason behind NY's offensive explosion last night hasn't been watching the last number of games. I believe JB is now on Augustin's Christmas card list.

  • #2
    (Jose's D WAS terrible though. Also, fun fact: in the first half he literally got into the paint once. But the whole team was atrocious. Meh.)

    I'll be amazed if this is even remotely competitive. We've even got our tanking uniforms out.

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    • #3
      I really want to see Bargnani play well today. Casey was blaming Bargnani's rust on his defense yesterday as opposed to his effort - hope Bargnani figures it out.

      In case you missed the quote (via Toronto Sun):
      http://www.torontosun.com/2012/03/20...ealthy-raptors

      “Defensively he’s kind of been a step off too,” Casey said. “I told him I understand the offence being (slow to come) but there’s no reason defensively that you can’t be where you are supposed to be. It’s not effort. It’s more focus and recognizing the situation.

      “He’s focused but there’s a timing element that goes into rotations and when you’re out that long and you haven’t practised or had a lot of time to get a lot of practice, that timing of when to rotate and who do I rotate to, that split second is huge and that recognition is a part of the rust that he has been dealing with.”

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      • #4
        I'm feelin' these camo jersey's. And that was a nice intro to have the troops walk out with each player.

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        • #5
          WhatWhat wrote: View Post
          (Jose's D WAS terrible though. Also, fun fact: in the first half he literally got into the paint once. But the whole team was atrocious. Meh.)

          I'll be amazed if this is even remotely competitive. We've even got our tanking uniforms out.
          LOL on the bold.

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          • #6
            As Eric Smith just tweeted, what if we played with these jersey's on Oregon's homecourt? That'd be a trip! Look at this thing:

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            • #7
              51-43 at the break. I really hope they come out with the same intensity in the second half(all of it!!!!).

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              • #8
                So far so good

                btw
                Mack North wrote: View Post
                As Eric Smith just tweeted, what if we played with these jersey's on Oregon's homecourt? That'd be a trip! Look at this thing:

                First time I glanced at it I thought it's a video game.
                Official Pope of the Raptors sponsored by MLSE.

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                • #9
                  *sigh* So disappointed in Bargnani. It looks like someone gave him a horse tranquilizer. I hope Casey can reach him again.

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                  • #10
                    Matt52 wrote: View Post
                    *sigh* So disappointed in Bargnani. It looks like someone gave him a horse tranquilizer. I hope Casey can reach him again.
                    +1
                    @Chr1st1anL

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                    • #11
                      Bargs play of late makes Robinson more and more attractive in the draft
                      @sweatpantsjer

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                      • #12
                        Holy shit I wanna smash Bargnanci right now... Dude see`s a 3-1 and he jogs back!!! Wow, as the Bulls are now kicking our tails.

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                        • #13
                          Memo to Matt and Leo:

                          F$ck off with the Bargnani excuses.
                          The Raps are better with him on the bench right now.
                          Enough.

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                          • #14
                            Times like theses are when we need J-Bay
                            @Chr1st1anL

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                            • #15
                              It`s a little surprising we`re not seeing more of Bayless.

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