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Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 7:51 pm
by mttwlsn16
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Sat, November 16
6:30 west coast, 9:30 east coast

LAC Starters
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LAC Bench
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VS.

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While the Los Angeles Clippers are off to their best start in six seasons, the Chicago Bulls have been rather inconsistent while playing without their injured star.

The Clippers look to end their recent home struggles against the Bulls while trying for a fifth straight win Saturday night.

Los Angeles is 6-2 for the first time since 2006-07 thanks to some strong play against a few of the league's top teams. Blake Griffin had 20 points with 14 rebounds while Chris Paul added 16 and 10 assists as the Clippers ran their home winning streak to three games Wednesday with a 107-100 victory over Miami.

They also have wins over the rival Lakers, San Antonio and Memphis -- all at Staples Center, where they've played seven of their first eight.

"These wins are good, but we're playing at home and we expect to win," said coach Vinny Del Negro, whose team had two winning streaks of at least five games last season.

Echoing their coach's sentiments, Los Angeles' players won't make too much of the early success even though they are shooting an NBA-high 49.5 percent and averaging 102.8 points.

"It's early, very early," Paul said. "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. Just keep playing the right way every night."

Los Angeles outscored Miami 33-20 in the third quarter thanks in large part to Paul, who scored the Clippers' final 13 points of the period during a 13-4 surge.

"He makes things happen and that's why I've always felt that he's the best point guard in the game," LeBron James said.

The Clippers may need Paul and Griffin to be at their best as they try to avoid a third consecutive home loss to Chicago. Griffin has totaled 66 points, 26 rebounds and 10 assists in the last two home meetings with the Bulls, who won both by a combined 31 points. Paul had 15 points and 14 assists as the Clippers lost for the fourth time in five home tries against Chicago, 114-101 on Dec. 30.

Chicago (5-3) had star Derrick Rose for four of those meetings, but continues to play without the former MVP as he recovers from a torn ACL. After opening with back-to-back victories, the Bulls have alternated losses and wins in their last six contests.

Carlos Boozer had 28 points with 14 rebounds while Joakim Noah and Luol Deng each scored 21 as Chicago opened a five-game trip with a 112-106 overtime victory at Phoenix on Wednesday. The Bulls' 2-0 road start is their best since winning their first six away from home in 1996-97.

"I think it's good for us to get on the road and be together," Deng said. "It's good that we got a win. Now we'll try to get the next one."

The Bulls hope to play better and keep focused after blowing an 18-point third-quarter lead and being outscored 31-17 in the fourth Wednesday.

"The lesson we have to learn is we have to play tough with the lead," coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Noah has been tough to stop while averaging a career-high 16.0 points and pulling down 9.8 boards per game. He scored 19 at Los Angeles in December.

Deng has averaged 21.8 points on 51.6 percent shooting in his last four against the Clippers at Staples Center.

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 7:52 pm
by mttwlsn16
wasnt feeling writing out my own pregame write up today. so i stole espn's

we win by 16

109-93

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:55 pm
by og15
Bulls can defend quite well, and won't give up threes as easily as other teams, like Miami. They are 5-3 so far and even their offense isn't that bad. Their biggest loss was by 7 points tomthe Hornets, and they lost by 6 to both Boston and OKC.

I'm weary of expecting any sort of blowout win against them. This will actually be a good matchup, and guys like Hinrich and Nate will be used to keep pressure on the PG's and try to slow down the offense.

Deng has been scoring quite well, and Noah will be a good matchup for Jordan. DJ struggled against Varejao, and Noah does a lot of similar, and unconventional things from C's, like putting the ball on the floor, so that will be a good matchup to watch.

I think the Clippers take this one 98-93, not sure I see a 100+ point game against the Bulls.

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:02 pm
by mike3
Gotta play hard, another team like the Cavs/Warriors that can surprise us. Don't wanna lose this one.

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 12:42 am
by scratch21
LOL im dying at the pictures

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:00 am
by thanumba2clippersfan
Hoping that we come out on top tonight. We need to rebound against them and be ready for their defense.

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:08 am
by TheNewEra
Rebounding will be key

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:11 am
by Neddy
here we go

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:16 am
by Neddy
great give and go after the steal. we are not sharp and still competing well

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:20 am
by Sofia
Found a nice stream to swim in. Will be good to catch another game. :D

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:22 am
by mkwest
We've given up too many offensive rebounds so far.

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:24 am
by areg789
DJ to Cp3 to DJ!

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:24 am
by areg789
Griffin!!!

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:24 am
by Sofia
coast2coast!

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:28 am
by Neddy
early fouls across the board. only CP3 is without a foul. this could be a problem later. gotta get the bench mob out there.

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:30 am
by Sofia
Who dressed Mike Smith? :\

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:35 am
by mkwest
18-15 Clips after 1. We've given up 7 offensive rebounds and only managed to pick up 2. Thankfully the Bulls are shooting 28% from the field or we'd be in trouble. We've had some defensive lapses, but have been highly active on that end of the floor overall. They're going to make us work for it, so we have to do our best to return the favor.

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:35 am
by thanumba2clippersfan
Low scoring game, but some nice highlight plays by us in the first. Clippers lead 18-15

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:36 am
by Neddy
ebled is really something...

Re: Game #9 Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:47 am
by Neddy
this is ebled show