BRHornet45
05-06-2013, 01:54 AM
NEW YORK Between his dominant performance and emotional postgame celebration with family members in his hometown Saturday, center Joakim Noah deserved every watt of the spotlight he received after leading the Bulls past the Brooklyn Nets in Game 7.
But swingman Marco Belinelli who scored 24 points, same as Noah also is a major reason the Bulls will be playing the Miami Heat in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal Monday instead of packing up their gear for the season.
Marco was fantastic, coach Tom Thibodeau said. Hes a very experienced player who has hit a lot of big shots. He can pick-and-roll. He can run catch-and-shoot. Hes a very good spot-up shooter. Hes a very smart overall player and a team player. He plays to win.
Belinelli is a well-traveled veteran whom the Bulls signed as a free agent last offseason. He has been a very good pickup.
My mentality was to be aggressive, Belinelli said. I wanted to win this game so bad.
With forward Luol Deng and guard Kirk Hinrich out, the Bulls were in need of perimeter scoring. And Belinelli, who previously played for the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Hornets, provided it.
Marco came through in the clutch, guard Nate Robinson said. It just shows that guys can step in for other guys.
hpHO7jkmtfc
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/19920434-419/marco-belinelli-comes-up-big-when-bulls-need-him-most.html
But swingman Marco Belinelli who scored 24 points, same as Noah also is a major reason the Bulls will be playing the Miami Heat in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal Monday instead of packing up their gear for the season.
Marco was fantastic, coach Tom Thibodeau said. Hes a very experienced player who has hit a lot of big shots. He can pick-and-roll. He can run catch-and-shoot. Hes a very good spot-up shooter. Hes a very smart overall player and a team player. He plays to win.
Belinelli is a well-traveled veteran whom the Bulls signed as a free agent last offseason. He has been a very good pickup.
My mentality was to be aggressive, Belinelli said. I wanted to win this game so bad.
With forward Luol Deng and guard Kirk Hinrich out, the Bulls were in need of perimeter scoring. And Belinelli, who previously played for the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Hornets, provided it.
Marco came through in the clutch, guard Nate Robinson said. It just shows that guys can step in for other guys.
hpHO7jkmtfc
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/19920434-419/marco-belinelli-comes-up-big-when-bulls-need-him-most.html