Hornets vs Bulls Game Thread

[XFactor]

http://www.nba.com/games/20100129/CHINOH/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0020900683


Bulls-Hornets Preview

By BRETT HUSTON
Posted Jan 28 2010 2:43PM

The Chicago Bulls' season-high seven-game road trip had all the makings of a disaster after they opened with losses to a pair of Western Conference also-rans.


Four games later, it's looking like the spark that's turned their season around.


The Bulls try to close the trip with a fifth straight win Friday night against the New Orleans Hornets, who look to protect one of the West's best home records upon returning from their own successful road swing.


Chicago (22-22) has won four in a row for the third time since Christmas, but this latest run is easily the most surprising. The Bulls were 4-15 on the road after losses to Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers to open this trip, but they've knocked off four consecutive playoff contenders.
Coach Vinny Del Negro's team has shot 50.6 percent from the floor while holding opponents to 39.4 percent, and its most impressive defensive effort came Wednesday in Oklahoma City. Chicago limited the Thunder to 36.9 percent shooting, hounding Kevin Durant into a 7-for-19 effort and leaving with a 96-86 win.


"I don't think anybody in the league or anywhere else would have thought that we would be sitting here 4-0 after that," said Derrick Rose, who had team highs of 26 points and seven assists.
Rose has been the catalyst during the streak, averaging 26.3 points and shooting 59.3 percent. After scoring 15.3 points per game during a 7-11 start, Rose has since averaged 22.8 in helping the Bulls reach .500 for the first time since Nov. 21.


"It all starts with Derrick Rose," said Joakim Noah, who's averaged 13.0 points and 12.4 rebounds over his last 17 games. "He's just playing huge for us, making the right decisions, staying aggressive offensively. When your point guard is playing like that, it usually leads to good things."
Noah and Tyrus Thomas keyed a 96-85 win over New Orleans (25-20) on Dec. 26 at the United Center. Noah had 17 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks, while Thomas had 21 points and nine boards off the bench.
Chicago, which has followed its previous four-game win streaks with at least two straight losses, hasn't won five in a row on the road since concluding the 2005-06 season on a six-game run.


The Hornets have won 16 of 20 at home, where they return following an impressive trip. New Orleans closed with a third victory in four games - its only loss coming in overtime to Denver on Saturday - after Chris Paul had 38 points in a 123-110 win over Golden State on Wednesday.
The Hornets were 6-15 on the road heading into the trip.


"This was a big trip for us. We won in some tough venues," said Paul, who averaged 27.8 points on 58.8 percent shooting. "Everyone knows the road has been our Achilles' heel so far."


The play of Paul's new backcourt mate has also been critical. Rookie Marcus Thornton averaged 18.5 points in the final two games of the trip, starting after New Orleans shipped Devin Brown to the Bulls for backup center Aaron Gray on Monday.


Brown, who has yet to play for the Bulls, led New Orleans with 22 points in Chicago last month.


The Hornets' fortunes Friday, though, may depend on David West. The two-time All-Star, scoring 17.7 points per game, has averaged 11.0 in the last two losses to the Bulls.

[fevertrees]

DOWNTOWN Devin Brown making his return to the Crescent City. I guarantee if he gets on the court and gets that green light...New Orleans is gonna get curbstomped.

[Ghazi]

Bulls are the better team , lets hope they play like it.

[Pelicans78]

Tough game for the Hornets. Bulls are playing well right now. Rebounding will be the key and containing Rose.

[Allanon]

I think the Bulls get blown out.

[Pelicans78]

I think the Bulls get blown out.

I hope your right, but the Hornets have 3 wins over double-digits all season. A blow-out either way would be rare for New Orleans.

[Ghazi]

Derrick Rose is gonna bukkake Chrissy Paul tonight and show that he's the superior PG.

[Pelicans78]

Derrick Rose is gonna bukkake Chrissy Paul tonight and show that he's the superior PG.

I don't think either will guard each other.

[BRHornet45]

Derrick Rose is gonna bukkake Chrissy Paul tonight

son its about damn time you finally learn the proper word for what your wife has been allowing numerous black men to do to her over the years.

[ffadicted]

I think the Bulls get blown out.

I think it's a good thing you don't bet real money on your predictions

[Allanon]

I think it's a good thing you don't bet real money on your predictions

True actually.

I've been really shitty predicting games this year. Still I think the Hornets will win this. :lol

[ClippersDynasty]

Hornets just need to force Hinrich to take shots. He shoots like 23% from the field :lol

[Killakobe81]

A great PG matchup would pay money to see this one or Rose vs. dwill

[XFactor]

Wow didn't expect to see that much empty seats.........

[XFactor]

Luol Deng is having a field day against PJ. 13 1st quarter points.

[Pelicans78]

Too many turnovers in the first half which is leading to fast break points. Need to protect the ball better.

[ffadicted]

not watching this one (obv), but damn rose seems to be losing the head-to-head PG matchup. Bulls up though, guess thats all that matters

[Pelicans78]

Hornets need to start D-ing up if they want to come back.

[Pelicans78]

Hornets are gonna need to put someone else on Deng, especially if Peja's not gonna be a factor on defense.

[Pelicans78]

Crap, Gibson is scoring on West. Wth D?

[XFactor]

not watching this one (obv), but damn rose seems to be losing the head-to-head PG matchup. Bulls up though, guess thats all that matters

True but not as much, Rose 10 points 5 assists vs Pauls 13 points 8 assists.

[redzero]

Nice start to the 4th for the Hornets. The Bulls need to be stopped.

[redzero]

Long ass 3 by CP3.

[XFactor]

Chris Paul is going apeshit all over the Bulls

[redzero]

Finally, the Hornets capitalize on the Bulls' meltdown.

[ffadicted]

Goddamn I can't believe my eastern conference darlings are gona drop this one :(

[redzero]

lol at Okafor not being in at the end of close games again.

[j.dizzle]

dayummmm west with the 30 ft 3 hahaha

[redzero]

dayummmm west with the 30 ft 3 hahaha

That was a bullshit 3. :lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

[ffadicted]

oh my god what a bullshit shot

[Pelicans78]

man, bad foul by West

[Pelicans78]

Miller acting like a tool again

[redzero]

The Hornets have to score right now.

[ffadicted]

Shit shit shit shit, this is DRose time right here

[ffadicted]

two chances, two fails, goddamn it bulls goddamn it

[redzero]

Shit shit shit shit, this is DRose time right here

Not with Christ Paul defending him.

[Pelicans78]

crap

[ffadicted]

Oh my god what a finish!!!

[redzero]

What a blown play.

[Darthkiller]

lmao Hornets

[himat]

What the hell just happened. I stopped watching for a second???

[j.dizzle]

LOLLLL wtf was that NO? that last play was the definition of fail

[ffadicted]

I think that's gotta be up there with one of the worst game-losing mistakes of all time if the hornets go on to lose this one

[Pelicans78]

CP3 even hurt himself on that foolish play

[Pelicans78]

can't believe we're going to OT

[Allanon]

Wow. Nice choke on that one.

[himat]

Wow. Good game though.

[redzero]

Please put Okafor in.

[Pelicans78]

Please put Okafor in.

i would put Wright on Deng

[redzero]

Please, please win.

[Pelicans78]

last two shots go in and out

[ffadicted]

Miller you fucking tool with the turnover lol

[himat]

Lets go Bulls...

[redzero]

last two shots go in and out

It looks like the Hornets are destined to lose this one.

[Pelicans78]

not sure why Paul is back in the game. too injured to be effective.

[ffadicted]

Damn, this is a good OT

[Pelicans78]

crap, missed rebound

[ffadicted]

Joakim!!! Man that guy is a sick rebounder

[himat]

Big offensive rebound. Noah is killing the boards.

[ffadicted]

BAHAAHAHA Hornets fail at the end of regulation AND at the end of OT

[redzero]

BIGGEST FUCKING FAIL I HAVE EVER SEEN.

Oh my God, fuck you David West. How do you make that kind of play at the end of regulation?

[Pelicans78]

Geez Collison

[Pelicans78]

Bad loss, especially with a tough game tomorrow. Had this game wrapped up and made a foolish turnover even with 3 guards in the game.

[Allanon]

BIGGEST FUCKING FAIL I HAVE EVER SEEN.

THIS. Wow.

Maybe not the worst but it's up there.

[Pelicans78]

Can't believe they made that turnover.

[redzero]

THIS. Wow.

West had two teammates in front of him AND he had a timeout. He just cost the Hornets the game. On top of that, Paul was hurt.

What the fuck was the point of that pass?

[Pelicans78]

and Paul got hurt on that play too.

[ffadicted]

THIS. Wow.

Maybe not the worst but it's up there.

Definitly up there in the worst game-losing mistakes of all time

[Pelicans78]

Normally Posey would be making that pass.

Also, Collison could have passed it or pulled up quickly.

[Bob Lanier]

The Bulls are just beating the teams they're supposed to beat.

[j.dizzle]

terrible way to lose a game in the close ass WC standings..All they had to do was throw it in like a normal human being & hit 2 FT's..NO gave that shit away

[redzero]

Normally Posey would be making that pass.

Also, Collison could have passed it or pulled up quickly.

What the fuck was Collison doing? Oh my God, that was a horrible possession.

[Pelicans78]

terrible way to lose a game in the close ass WC standings..All they had to do was throw it in like a normal human being & hit 2 FT's..NO gave that shit away

Exactly how I feel, especially having to play at Memphis tomorrow.

[Allanon]

West had two teammates in front of him AND he had a timeout. He just cost the Hornets the game. On top of that, Paul was hurt.

What the fuck was the point of that pass?

Dude, I feel your pain. I was like WTF on the pass? And then Paul comes up limping.

[Allanon]

Definitly up there in the worst game-losing mistakes of all time


West throwing the ball 15 feet in front of CP3
CP3 hurt on the play
Can't secure vital rebounds
PG Collison doesn't realize the time and score

[Pelicans78]

What the fuck was Collison doing? Oh my God, that was a horrible possession.

He had a bad game as far as decision making.

Not having Posey hurt tonight. He doesn't make fucked up plays late in the game. We're not deep enough to lose anyone to an injury.

[redzero]

He had a bad game as far as decision making.

Not having Posey hurt tonight. He doesn't make fucked up plays late in the game. We're not deep enough to lose anyone to an injury.

Collison was running around like headless chicken on that last possession, and the Hornets still had a timeout.

I don't care what happened in the first 47:50 of this game. David West threw it away with a pointless gamble.

[Bob Lanier]

Exactly how I feel, especially having to play at Memphis tomorrow.
You have to play at Memphis tomorrow and you're spending your night on here? Man, get to sleep!

[BRHornet45]

sons Collison has a lot to learn

[DxB]

Sons DRose is THE SHIT. Also, how long before Jeff Bower realizes he cant play marcus thornton against luol deng and not get faceraped...

[fevertrees]

Hornets had plenty of games they shouldn't have won before this....no reason on getting too upset that they pulled a "Mavs Choke" at the end of this one lol

[redzero]

sons Collison has a lot to learn

Yeah, like how to use a time out instead of dribbling the ball and losing it as time expires. That would be a start.

[KidCongo]

Wow that was some very poor execution by West and Collison, I could imagine Paul just wanting to ignore them for a good period of time.

[Ghazi]

About time the Hornets don't catch a bullshit break in a close game.

Grizz gonna bukkake them tonight as well. lol 25-22

[Darthkiller]

that thorton kid has been beasting quietly

[XFactor]

I think the Bulls get blown out.

[Pelicans78]

About time the Hornets don't catch a bullshit break in a close game.

Grizz gonna bukkake them tonight as well. lol 25-22

You already said that earlier this week.

Besides, Mavs 8-0 in one point games and 5-0 in two point games. That's 13 "lucky" wins if we all use your theory.