Andrew's 06 Bulls, Part 2 :: 07/08 (October 2007)

[The X]

Damn, 49-5. I'm thinking at this rate you're going to end up something like 71-11

[George7]

That is amazing!Ben Gordon just rules and you're going to finish with a record like 76-6!!!
You're going to beat the 96 Bulls!

[Andrew]

Damn, 49-5. I'm thinking at this rate you're going to end up something like 71-11

That is amazing!Ben Gordon just rules and you're going to finish with a record like 76-6!!!
You're going to beat the 96 Bulls!

Perhaps! I'll hopefully at least beat the streak, I might rest a few players towards the end of the season or at least reduce their minutes so I might drop a few then. I have a feeling it'll be tough to get too far past a streak of 33 but we'll see.

[Kenny]

Nice to see this back

Ben Gordon is absolutely tearing it apart out there! Is he taking care of most of the point duties? Or is Hinrich just getting a lot of "hockey assists" via him?

[Axel The Great]

And Ben Gordon continues... With all of those triple-doubles and records he's setting, he may be nearing MJ-level.

[Andrew]

Nice to see this back

Ben Gordon is absolutely tearing it apart out there! Is he taking care of most of the point duties? Or is Hinrich just getting a lot of "hockey assists" via him?

Thanks. It's a bit of both, with Chandler and Boozer I find I'm getting a fair few alley-oops on pick and rolls or simply finding them under the hoop on drive and dish situations. Otherwise, it's kind of a hockey assist situation but Hinrich's still been getting a decent amount of assists too.

And Ben Gordon continues... With all of those triple-doubles and records he's setting, he may be nearing MJ-level.

I'm quite pleased with what I've been able to do with him through February, as you can imagine the rebounds were the toughest to get. I might bring it back to Earth a bit in March though he's still undoubtedly the star of the team so I'd expect he'll still put up some nice stats and have some big games.

Thanks for checking in guys.

[Fresh8]

Great that Ben finally broke it into the MVP candidates and won POTM.

You going for that 33 game win streak?

[Andrew]

Absolutely. Not too far away now.

[Fresh8]

Absolutely. Not too far away now.

Been waiting for a while to update so better see those recaps soon

[Andrew]

March 2nd, 2007
Chicago (114) at Los Angeles Clippers (103)
Bulls overcome Clippers for 50th win of the season
[ Boxscore ]


Tyson Chandler finishes an alley-oop for two of his 12 points

The Los Angeles Clippers proved to be a more challenging opponent than the defending champions perhaps anticipated, but the Chicago Bulls came through in the fourth quarter to win their 27th game in a row and 50th overall on the season. Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich eached scored 24 points for the Bulls, with Gordon also providing 15 assists, four rebounds and four steals while Hinrich added six assists and two steals.

Chicago struggled to put the ball in the basket in the first quarter, allowing the Clippers to jump out to a 16-11 lead halfway through the quarter. A couple of defensive stops allowed the Bulls to turn the tide and take the lead by the end of the period but with Cuttino Mobley knocking down shots and Elton Brand bullying Tyson Chandler down low, the Clippers were not about to lie down on their home floor.

The lead would change hands a couple of times in the second quarter and while Chicago would go into the half with the lead, Los Angeles managed to outscore them 23-21 while limiting Gordon to 4/13 shooting through the first two quarters. Unable to break the game open in the third, the teams continued to trade baskets throughout the second half, until a charge led by the Bulls' bench gave them a ten point lead halfway through the fourth. With four starters back in the game, the Bulls would lead by as many as seventeen before finally taking the game 114-103.

Tyson Chandler and Carlos Boozer both had double doubles for the Bulls, with Chandler grabbing 12 rebounds to go along with 12 points while Boozer scored 18 points and had a team high with 13 rebounds. Kyle Korver also scored 10 points off the bench for Chicago. One-time Bull Elton Brand was a perfect 14/14 from the field and scored a game high 30 points, to go along with 16 rebounds and two blocks. Mobley finished with 21 points while handing out five assists, while Andre Miller had a team high 12 assists but just seven points on 3/5 field goals.

Notes: The Clippers won the battle of the boards 45-39, including a 21-20 edge at the offensive end...the BUlls were whistled for just seven fouls while the Clippers committed seventeen...Shaun Livingston left the game shortly after entering with an arm injury and did not return. X-rays were negative and he is expected to undergo further evaluation before the Clippers' next game against the Houston Rockets.

Current Record: 50-5
Next Game: @ Dallas Mavericks; 39-18 (March 4th)

[Fresh8]

Nice work with the 50th win of the season. 50-5 is way impressive. How's this compare to the 72-10 Bulls?

[Martti.]

Sit, they were 49-6 after 55.

[Fresh8]

Ben Gordon is a legend.

[Andrew]

I'd like to get him MVP but I have a feeling the game will go another way on that one.

March 4th, 2007
Chicago (98) at Dallas (73)
Hard nosed defense gives Bulls second win over Mavericks
[ Boxscore ]


Monta Ellis elevates for a dunk late in the fourth quarter

Homecourt advantage made little difference for the Dallas Mavericks as they fell to the Chicago Bulls by double digits for the second time in a week. Ben Gordon once again flirted with a triple double with 28 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists along with five steals as the Bulls defeated the Mavs 98-73.

Dirk Nowitzki, second in the league in scoring behind Gordon, countered with 28 points of his own while also grabbing nine rebounds but the Mavericks were unable to overcome early foul trouble for Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse. Chicago began the game on an 11-2 run and led by as many as fifteen before a small run narrowed the gap to ten heading into the second.

Dallas managed to close the gap to six early in the second quarter but with Terry and Stackhouse on the bench they struggled to score against the tough Chicago defense. The Mavericks were held to 34 first half points and had trouble finding a counter for the Bulls' balanced attack as they trailed by fourteen at the half.

Nowitzki scored 16 of the Mavericks' 20 fourth quarter points but the Bulls scored 26 in the period to widen the gap to 20 heading into the fourth. Dallas would not challenge the lead as the Bulls continued to play lockdown defense while picking apart the Mavs at the other end of the floor.

Carlos Boozer and Tyson Chandler once again tallied double doubles with the Bulls, with Boozer scoring 13 points to go along with 11 rebounds while Chandler had a game high 14 rebounds in addition to scoring 10 points. Nowitzki was the only Maverick to score in double figures, though Devin Harris and rookie J.R. Betts both scored 9 off the bench. Harris also had a team high with seven assists.

Notes: The Mavericks have lost three straight and now own the second best record in the West behind the Memphis Grizzlies. Chicago have won 28 games in a row, just five short of the all-time record...the Bulls scored less than 100 points for the first time since November 25th, a 97-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers...Chicago outrebounded Dallas 40-32 including 18-8 at the offensive end...the Mavericks were called for 26 fouls as opposed to just seven whistled on the Bulls...the Mavericks shot better than the Bulls (50.8% compared to 47.7%) but made just 33 of 65 field goals while the Bulls made 42 of 88...the Bulls were 3/20 on three pointers while the Mavericks were just 1/3 from beyond the arc...the Mavericks' 73 points ties their season low in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on February 22nd.

Current Record: 51-5
Next Game: @ Milwaukee Bucks; 19-39 (March 6th)

[Fresh8]

If you vetoed the game's decision, I would not complain.

[Andrew]

There's always that option I guess!

March 6th, 2007
Chicago (94) at Milwaukee (62)
Bulls overcome poor shooting, blow out Bucks
[ Boxscore ]


Monta Ellis turned in his finest performance of the season

The Chicago Bulls ended their five game road trip with an impressive win over their Division rivals the Milwaukee Bucks, despite poor shooting and a quiet night from star guard Ben Gordon. Gordon finished with a modest 15 points on 6/19 shooting to go along with five rebounds and six assists but it was Monta Ellis who had everyone's attention as he came off the bench to score a game high 17 points and added three rebounds, four assists and two steals in 21 minutes.

Minutes have been scarce for Ellis, now in his second NBA season, but when Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich both picked up two fouls in the first quarter he made the most of his opportunity, score nine points in the first half. With the Bulls clamping down at the defensive end, the Bucks found themselves down by double digits early and remained flustered and out of sync throughout the game, being held below 20 points in all four quarters.

Chicago also aggressively crashed the offensive boards, controlling the ball for most of the game and attempting 34 more field goals than Milwaukee. Andrew Bogut, last year's first overall draft pick, led the team with 14 points and 13 rebounds while Michael Redd had 13 points and rookie Armon Grayer scored 10 off the bench but it was not Milwaukee's night. Kirk Hinrich and Tyson Chandler each scored 10 points for the Bulls while Nick Collison had 12 off the bench.

The Bulls now return to Chicago where they will face the Miami Heat in the first game of a home-and-home series.

Notes: 62 points is the lowest total for a Bulls' opponent this season. It is also the lowest total scored by the Bucks this season, with their previous low of 68 coming in a loss to the Charlotte Bobcats back on December 21st...Chicago dominated the rebounding 47-37, including a 25-11 advantage on the offensive glass...the Bucks committed 28 turnovers compared to just 13 by the Bulls.

Current Record: 52-5
Next Game: vs Miami Heat; 26-30 (March 6th)

[Fresh8]

You're winning way too easily! More updates coming our way?

[Andrew]

I might play another game or two tonight. If not, I'm sure there'll be more updates at some point this week as I squeeze games in between other stuff.

[kibaxx7]

It's weird to see the Heat with that record Great win 'Drew.

[Andrew]

Yeah, they are underperforming a little given that Shaq's still pretty good in this Dynasty and they've still got Wade, along with most of the rest of the team that won the 2006 championship (but obviously did not in this reality).

[George7]

Damn,Ben Gordon sucked in those last two games! 28 and 15 point games???
I was used of him scoring 40 and 50 points all the time

Nice two wins though,like that pic with Monta.

[Fresh8]

I have forgotten as to how you got Monta Ellis. Can you please enlighten me?

[Andrew]

Damn,Ben Gordon sucked in those last two games! 28 and 15 point games???
I was used of him scoring 40 and 50 points all the time

Nice two wins though,like that pic with Monta.

I know, the second game in particular is far removed from the numbers he was putting up in February though he still came close to a triple double in the 28 point game. I considered bringing him back in the fourth quarter of the Bucks game to pad his stats but I decided I'd give the bench more of a run as I haven't done that for a while, seeing as how I was trying to get Gordon POTM.

I have forgotten as to how you got Monta Ellis. Can you please enlighten me?

Picked him up as a free agent in the offseason.

[Murat]

Wow, gordon still rocks!

[Andrew]

Played a couple more games, the second of which is a Game of the Year candidate in my opinion.

March 8th, 2007
Miami (79) at Chicago (114)
Strong third quarter leads to another Bulls victory
[ Boxscore ]


Ben Gordon collects his NBA record fourteenth steal of the game

Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat became the latest team to learn that an early deficit and a close game in the second half means little to the reigning champions.

Led by Ben Gordon who overcame turnover trouble and shaky shooting through the first three quarters to register another triple double and a new NBA record with fourteen steals in the game, the Chicago Bulls crushed the Miami Heat 114-79 after finishing the third quarter on a 22-2 run. Even the loss of starting point guard Kirk Hinrich, who left the game with an apparent back injury, did little to stop the run as the Bulls outscored the Heat 62-33 in the second half.

A determined Heat team overpowered the Bulls early, feeding Shaquille O'Neal in the post and creating a sense of restlessness in the United Center as Miami took an early ten point lead. The Bulls came alive with a three by Kyle Korver and captured the lead by the end of the period, but struggled to keep the Heat at bay through the next quarter and a half. The Heat had taken a 60-59 lead when the Bulls began the run which gave them the lead for good and ultimately, their 30th consecutive victory.

Gordon also tallied 27 points and 11 assists in the victory while Korver provided 22 points off the bench. Carlos Boozer, instrumental in the third quarter push, finished with 18 points and 5 rebounds. Tyson Chandler had a game high with 12 rebounds. For the Heat, Wade top scored with 21 points while adding five rebounds and four assists while O'Neal had a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. No other Heat player scored in double figures.

The game was the first of a home-and-home series for the two teams, with the second game tomorrow night in Miami.

Notes: Ben Gordon now holds the single game record for steals (14) and assists (32)...every Bull scored at least two points in the game...Miami had 37 turnovers compared to 17 by Chicago...Chicago registered 26 steals while Miami totalled four...the Bulls had a distinct advantage at the free throw line, making 15 of 19 attempts while Miami was just 6/7. The Heat were also whistled for 20 fouls while the Bulls committed just nine fouls.

Current Record: 53-5
Next Game: @ Miami Heat; 26-31 (March 9th)

March 9th, 2007
Hinrich day-to-day with back injury

MIAMI, FL -- Chicago Bulls' starting point guard Kirk Hinrich is questionable for tonight's game against the Miami Heat, following a back injury sustained in yesterday's 114-79 victory. The injury occurred during the third quarter when Hinrich landed awkwardly following a fast break layup, leading to a quick substitution after which he did not return. He is currently listed as day-to-day and may be held out of tonight's game as a precaution.

Hinrich has played and started in all 58 of the Bulls' games this season, posting averages of 12.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 6.7 apg and 1.8 spg.

March 9th, 2007
Chicago (121) at Miami (119)
Bulls prevail after fourth quarter shootout
[ Boxscore ]


Tyson Chandler rejects Shaquille O'Neal in the first quarter

After their blowout loss in Chicago, the Heat were clearly determined to deal the Bulls a little payback. They didn't come away with the win but they did making the defending champions sweat, giving them a taste of their own medicine with a strong third quarter and came within an inch of ending their lengthy winning streak, ultimately succumbing 121-119.

Perhaps mindful of their slow start in the previous game, the Bulls raced out to a 9-2 lead to begin the game but following a couple of turnovers they quickly found themselves in a dogfight as the Heat erased the deficit and traded baskets with them throughout the first quarter until Mike James hit a fifteen footer to put Chicago up 25-23 at the break.

It appeared as though the Bulls would put the game on ice early as they outscored the Heat 29-19 in the second to talk a 54-42 advantage into halftime. The Heat had other ideas though as they exploded out of the gate in the third quarter, beating the Bulls at their own game by outscoring them 37-22 in the period to take a 79-76 lead into the final quarter. Shaquille O'Neal scored 13 of his team high 35 points in the third quarter, while also grabbing five of his game high 14 rebounds.

After taking a breather for the final two minutes of the third quarter, Ben Gordon returned to score 21 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter as the two teams engaged in a wild shootout, each topping the 40-point mark in the final period and shooting over 65% from the field. The lead changed hands several times as both teams struggled to gain control of the game and make defensive stops, with Gordon scoring on acrobatic drives and O'Neal powering his way to the hoop at the other end.

Shaq combined with Wade to score 18 of the Heat's 40 fourth quarter points but the Bulls received a huge lift from Kyle Korver, who started in place of the injured Kirk Hinrich. Korver scored 11 points in the fourth while making three of four three pointers, banking one in late in the game to ultimately give the Bulls the lead for good. With the Heat out of timeouts and forced to foul, Chicago made sure the ball was in Gordon's hands to seal the game at the free throw line.

Gordon would leave the door open for a Heat victory however as his final free throw was off-target, leading to a Heat rebound. With no timeouts remaining and star Dwyane Wade watching from the bench after picking up his sixth foul, Miami frantically advanced the ball up court and found Dorell Wright who launched a long three that caught the front of the rim. Tyson Chandler, who had seven points and seven rebounds in the fourth, collected the miss as time expired and preserved the Bulls' 31st consecutive victory.

"I was holding my breath," Gordon said of Wright's three point attempt. "It would've been a long trip home, knowing it would've been overtime had I just made that free throw. Fortunately for us he missed and Tyson was there for the board. They gave us everything they had tonight." Gordon was 17/22 from the field and 7/8 at the free throw line, also handing out sixteen assists, grabbing three rebounds and making four steals.

The entire starting five for each team scored in double figures, led by Gordon's 42 and O'Neal's 35. Carlos Boozer scored 21 points for the Bulls while Korver added 20; Antoine Walker and Dwyane Wade each finished with 20 points for the Heat with Wade also handing out nine assists. Tyson Chandler and Udonis Haslem each scored 13 points and collected 10 rebounds for their respective teams, Luol Deng had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists while Jason Williams had a much stronger outing for the Heat than the previous game, scoring 16 points and dishing out eight assists.

Chicago now head home where they have two days off before taking on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Miami faces the Timberwolves in Minnesota in an afternoon game on Sunday.

Notes: Kirk Hinrich missed his first game of the season after the Bulls elected to rest him rather than aggravate his back injury suffered in last night's win over the Heat in Chicago...Miami outrebounded Chicago 42-27, including a 16-11 edge on the offensive glass...the Heat were 15/20 at the free throw line while the Bulls were 13/16...Chicago tallied 30 assists on 51 field goals. Miami assisted on 31 of their 50 field goals...the two teams combined to shoot 10/20 from downtown, with the Bulls going 6/10 from beyond the arc and the Heat going 4/10...Miami committed 25 turnovers compared to just 14 by Chicago.

Current Record: 54-5
Next Game: vs Cleveland Cavaliers; 32-24 (March 12th)