After recent struggles for one particular Chicago team (cough, cough: Chicago Bears), this city has been looking forward to one thing since before the lockout: Christmas Day.
Why?
The Chicago Bulls would open their season in Los Angeles against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. The marquee matchup that included two top players in this league, one, a five-time NBA Champion, the other, the 2011 MVP. Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose.
Sunday afternoon, the Bulls fought an eight-point deficit with just under two minutes remaining, coming out on top with an 88-87 victory at the Staples Center.
Bryant hit a fadaway turnaround jumper with just under a minute left for a six-point lead. That was the last shot for the Lake Show, the Bulls followed up a three-point play from Deng and a pair at the line to bring them within one.
Rose led the Bulls with 22 points and the shot to win it all. Down by one, the Bulls double-teamed Bryant, resulting in a bad pass to Pau Gasol, in which Luol Deng immediately picked up to find Rose on the other end. Rose then spit two defenders and put up a floater over Gasol for the game winner with 4.8 seconds left in regulation.
In the final seconds, Bryant tried to take matters into his own hands and drive in for a layup; however, Deng was right there to have the block of the game, giving the Bulls their first win of the season.
Deng finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Carlos Boozer chipped in 15 points and six rebounds. Noah (nine rebounds, three steals) and Rip Hamilton (debut) each scored six points.
Despite a torn ligament in his right wrist, Bryant showed up to play and didn’t let any injury slow him down. He led all scorers with 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He also committed eight turnovers.
The Lakers were forced into 17 turnovers. They missed their final four free throws crucial to the outcome of the game (a pair by Gasol and Josh McRoberts).
Three minutes into the fourth quarter, the Lakers had outscored the Bulls 27-12 (continuing from the third quarter) and the Bulls, who started the game shooting 59 percent on the floor, were down to 18%.
Steve Blake, a spark off the Lakers bench, contributed 12 of their 29 points, including a three-pointer at the top of the key, giving LA a 85-77 lead with 2:11 remaining.
The Bulls finished the night shooting 40 percent on the floor and 47 percent behind the arc (7-for-15) while the Lakers shot 47 percent on the floor and 25 percent from the three (4-for-16).
Bulls Extras: The Bulls will be sticking around the California area the next three games, including Golden State on Monday night, Sacramento on Thursday and the Clippers on Friday…Are the Bulls the team to beat in the East? Send your comments over!
