Slam Dunk Central

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The Los Angeles Clippers, depleted as they were personnel-wise, tried to make a game of it against the Chicago Bulls Saturday night.? But it wasn’t meant to be as the Clips had a horrible shooting night (39.4% from the floor); as a result, Los Angeles was beaten on their home court by the Bulls 92-73.

The Clippers did get as close as 11 points as they trailed the Bulls 51-40 at the half.? Both teams scored 19 each in the third quarter, but Chicago pulled away in the beginning of the 4th quarter.? The game had a tense moments - moments actually.? Earlier in the game - Chicago was up 39-25, Bulls forward Andres Nocioni committed a flagrant foul on Clippers forward Ruben Patterson.? no big deal, except that Patterson took exception to the foul.? Cooler heads prevailed - for? one possession.

On Chicago’s next possession, Los Angeles F Tim Thomas blocked Nocioni’s path to the basket then proceeded to shove Nocioni back.? Both had to be separated; Thomas got a flagrant foul for his efforts.? To prove that Nocioni will not be invited to any of the Clippers players’ Christmas parties any time soon, with?6:03 left in the?third quarter?and the Clippers down by 16, Nocioni was yet again given the smackdown - this time by Clippers center Chris Kaman; Kaman shoved Nocioni with his left elbow underneath the basket.

The boxing match aside - which the Clippers won by a split decision - Chicago simply outhustled Los angeles throughout the game.? Chicago was led by G Ben Gordon with 25 points, with the aforementioned Nocioni adding 21 and 8 rebounds; C Ben Wallace actually had a nice outing as he chipped in 9 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks - vintage Ben Wallace.?

Los Angeles’ high? (a contradiction in terms considering the end result) scorer was Kaman with 21 points and 8 rebounds with Thomas adding 14 and grabbing 8 boards.? Chicago (2-6) stays in Los Angeles to face the Lakers Sunday night, while the Clippers?(5-4) host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.