Slam Dunk Central

The Chicago Bulls accomplished two things tonight: they shot over 50% from the floor (54%), and they have won two in a row. Bulls guard Ben Gordon and forward Luol Deng combined for 63 points in what has to be easily the best game the Bulls have played thus far, thrashing the Charlotte Bobcats 111-95 at Chicago.Chicago held the early first quarter lead, 31-23; however, Charlotte scored 8 straight points to knot it up at 31. 10 Bulls turnovers allowed the Bobcats to score 19 points and they eventually took the lead when Jason Richardson drained a 3-pointer late in the 2nd quarter. Chicago would reclaim the lead on Gordon’s layup ontheir final possession of the half. Chicago would open up the 3rd quarter with a 22-5 run, which would give them a 15-point lead. The Bulls would do more of the same for the rest of the period and the majority of the 4th quarter; the benches empties around the 3 minute mark of the 4th period.

Chicago’s high scorer was Gordon with 34 points, including 5-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc. Deng added a solid 29, while reserve Andres Nocioni chipped in 17 and 9 rebounds. Ben Wallace had a solid effort, scoring 10 while clearing 19 boards and blocking 4 shots. Charlotte was led by Richardson with 22, while Emeka Okafor had a solid game, adding 21, grabbing 9 rebounds and blocking 3 shots. Gerald Wallace would add 17 in a losing effort. Chicago (4-10), now on a 2-game winning streak, continues their homestand hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. Charlotte (6-9), losers of 5 straight, travel to Canada to take on the Toronto Raptors, also on Monday evening.