The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 28 points, Pau Gasol added 23 and the Lakers rallied for a 117-109 victory Saturday over the Chicago Bulls in the first of a season-high, seven-game trip. The Lakers trailed by 16 in the second quarter and 14 at the half, but came roaring back in the third, pulling within one… Despite the high point total, he shot just 10-for-25. Even so, the man who once said he wouldn’t mind playing in Chicago got serenaded with “MVP! MVP!” chants… Gasol grabbed 10 rebounds. Trevor Ariza scored 18 points, Lamar Odom added 16 and Jordan Farmar had eight of his 13 in the decisive run for the Lakers, who have won five of six… John Salmons scored 30 and Derrick Rose 25 for the Bulls, who had tied a season high with three straight wins, but their luck ended against the Western Conference leaders. So did their seven-game home win streak.
Category: Chicago Bulls Blog
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Bulls re-sign Linton Johnson to second 10-day contract
The Chicago Bulls announced today they have re-signed forward Linton Johnson III to a second 10-day contract. Johnson, a 6-8, 205-pound forward, originally signed a 10-day contract with the Bulls on March 10, 2009.
In two appearances with Chicago, Johnson has averaged 1.50 rpg in 7.0 mpg. In his second tour with the Bulls, the Chicago native is currently in his sixth season out of Tulane.
Rose shines, Bulls beat Thunder to snap road skid
The AP reports: Derrick Rose didn’t know what he had to do, but his team needed him to do something. A perfect second half took care of what was ailing the Chicago Bulls. Rose scored 20 of his 25 points and didn’t miss a shot in the second half and the Bulls snapped a seven-game road losing streak by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-96 on Wednesday night… Russell Westbrook, the fourth overall pick in the draft, had 15 points and pulled the Thunder within 99-96 by driving past Rose for a layup in the final minute before Oklahoma City’s rally fell short. John Salmons added 20 points and Ben Gordon scored 18 for the Bulls. Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 28 points and Jeff Green had 18.
Salmons, Bulls surprise Celtics 127-121
The AP reports: John Salmons tied a career high with 38 points, and the Chicago Bulls rallied for another surprising victory, beating the Celtics 127-121 on Tuesday night despite 37 points from Paul Pierce… Pierce, Rajon Rondo (26 points) and Ray Allen (17 points) did what they could for the Celtics, who have dropped four of five and have struggled lately through injuries—the most notable being Kevin Garnett’s sprained right knee. The might be without Allen, too, when they play Miami on Wednesday, after he hyperextended his right elbow.
Gordon, Salmons lead Bulls over Hornets, 97-79
The AP reports: Ben Gordon scored 27 points, John Salmons added 24, and the Chicago Bulls pounded the surging New Orleans Hornets 97-79 Saturday night despite another strong effort by Chris Paul. Back home after an 0-3 road trip, the Bulls wasted little time taking it to a Western Conference contender… Paul scored 29 after back-to-back 30 point performances despite the Bulls’ best efforts to contain him… Salmons buried 5-of-8 3s, while Gordon rebounded from two subpar performances by hitting 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Brad Miller added 15 points and nine rebounds for Chicago, which sandwiched dramatic losses at Miami and at Philadelphia in the old Spectrum around a blowout at Orlando.
76ers close Spectrum with win over Bulls
The AP reports: Thaddeus Young wished he could have played a few more games at the Spectrum. He made the most of his one and only chance on the musty court. With Dr. J and former franchise greats in attendance, the 76ers brought down the house one last time before Philadelphia’s first arena goes away for good. Young scored a career-high 31 points and Andre Iguodala had 25 to spark Philadelphia to a 104-101 victory over Chicago on Friday night in the final NBA game at the 42-year-old Spectrum… Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 20 points. Andre Miller had 13 points and 13 assists, and Dalembert grabbed 19 rebounds for the Sixers.
Larry Hughes was bummed out on Cavs
The New York Post (Marc Berman) reports: A Cavaliers source admitted Larry Hughes played in a depression-like state his last 2 ½ seasons in Cleveland. His stay was a disappointment, considering the Cavs signed him to a five-year, $70 million deal to be James’ running mate. “Just watching him play in Chicago early this season, you could see the difference, he looked like he was having fun,” the Cavs’ source said. But it didn’t work in Chicago either, as Hughes fell out of favor with new coach Vinny Del Negro and didn’t play the last five weeks before the Feb. 19 trade to the Knicks.
Magic clinch playoff berth, beat Bulls 107-79
The AP reports: Tony Battie had 18 points and eight rebounds, and the Magic got a big boost from the bench to clinch a playoff spot with a 107-79 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night… J.J. Redick had 13 points, and Marcin Gortat added 13 points and 15 rebounds in reserve for the Magic, who have won five of their last six games and moved closer to taking another Southeast Division title… John Salmons had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Brad Miller added 11 points for Chicago, which shot a mere 31.4 percent from the floor and had 16 turnovers.
Chicago Bulls sign Linton Johnson to 10-day contract
The Chicago Bulls today signed forward Linton Johnson III to a 10-day contract. Johnson, a 6-8, 205-pound forward, will be in uniform tonight when the Bulls take on the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena at 6:00 p.m. (CT).
Johnson, a five-year pro, most recently played with the Charlotte Bobcats during the start of the 2008-09 campaign. He appeared in two games with the Bobcats before being waived on Nov. 19, 2008.
The Chicago native will re-join the Bulls for the second time in his career. During the 2003-04 season, he appeared in 41 games with Chicago and posted averages of 4.2 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 17.9 mpg. Johnson has also enjoyed stints with the San Antonio Spurs (member of the 2005 NBA Championship team), New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns and Bobcats. For his career, he has posted averages of 4.0 ppg and 3.4 rpg in 14.5 mpg. He owns career shooting averages of .417 from the field and .699 from the line.
Johnson, 28, was undrafted out of Tulane University.
Chicago’s roster now stands at 14.
Wade amazing, Heat beat Bulls 130-127 in 2OT
The AP reports: Dwyane Wade’s 3-pointer at the end of the first half was desperation. The one in the final seconds of regulation, dramatic. And the one that finally ended the game, unbelievable. Miami’s MVP candidate stole the ball from John Salmons with 3 seconds left, then made a running 3-pointer as time expired to lift the Heat to a wild 130-127 double-overtime win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night… Wade—who finished with 48 points and 12 assists in nearly 50 minutes, shooting 15-for-21 from the field—made a 3-pointer at the end of the first half, then another with 11.5 seconds left in regulation… Michael Beasley had 18 points, Mario Chalmers added 17 and Jamario Moon scored 13 for the Heat, who stayed within 1 1/2 games of Atlanta for the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Ben Gordon scored a season-high 43 points for the Bulls, including eight 3-pointers. Salmons scored 29 and Derrick Rose added 23 for the Bulls, who are 0-3 against Miami this season and used only seven players Monday.