February 28th, 2007
Chicago (109) at Atlanta (99)
Gordon registers another triple double, Bulls complete another undefeated month[
Boxscore ]
Gordon collects his tenth rebound of the game to secure another triple doubleThe Atlanta Hawks put up a valiant fight against the defending champions but ultimately there was no standing the way of Ben Gordon and the Chicago Bulls. Gordon, the talk of the NBA after being snubbed for the All-Star game despite putting up impressive numbers on the league's best team, delivered another triple double with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 17 assists along with two steals as the Bulls won their 26th game in a row, completing another undefeated month. The team is yet to lose in 2007.
Neither team managed to take a firm grasp of the game through the first ten minutes of the game, trading baskets until finally the Bulls managed to take control late in the quarter. Josh Childress rattled in a three pointer from beyond midcourt to end the first period, cutting the deficit to three and setting up another competitive twelve minutes in the second quarter, in which the lead changed hands a couple of times before Chicago once again eked out a slim 57-52 advantage at the half.
Usually the aggressors in the third quarter, the Bulls instead found themselves outplayed by the Hawks and were outscored 25-18 in the period. Atlanta's defense managed to disrupt several of Chicago's shot attempts and the offense stalled, leading to careless turnovers which the Hawks turned into points at the other end. The hometown team appeared to have all the momentum as they took a 73-68 lead late in the third but Kyle Korver, who scored 13 of his 15 points in the period, nailed a three pointer and then converted a couple of layups following two steals by Kirk Hinrich to tie the game at 75. Al Harrington then scored at the buzzer to take a 77-75 lead into the fourth quarter.
Atlanta's luck seemed to run out however as the Bulls went on an 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter, holding the Hawks scoreless for the first three and a half minutes of the period. Gordon, who was scoreless in the third quarter and contributed just one assist, tallied 16 points, six rebounds and eight assists in the final stanza as the Bulls withstood one final run by the Hawks for a 109-99 victory.
Joe Johnson top scored for the Hawks with 26 points on a blistering 10/14 from the field, but played only 29 minutes after picking up a couple of quick fouls in the third quarter. Al Harrington had 14 points while DeMarcus Arnold had 11 points off the bench. Raymond Felton had 10 assists but scored just 8 points on 1/11 shooting, making 5/6 at the free throw line. For the Bulls, Kirk Hinrich contributed 20 points, six assists and three steals while Carlos Boozer added 14 points and six rebounds.
Notes: Rebounding was fairly even, with the Bulls edging the Hawks 36-35 on the glass. The Hawks had a 14-12 advantage at the offensive end...the Bulls did not block a single shot during the game, while the Hawks sent back four attempts...the Bulls' ten point win is their lowest margin of victory since their 127-119 victory over the Sixers on February 10th...Gordon registered four triple doubles during the month of February and became the fifth player to register a quadruple double. He has five triple doubles on the season.
Current Record: 49-5
Next Game: @ Los Angeles Clippers; 26-29 (March 2nd)