 March 31st Bulls vs Cavs, This one is HUGE! |
 Mar 31 2007, 02:19 AM
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#1
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6th Man  Group: Members Posts: 473 Joined: 31-August 06 From: Chicago, IL Member No.: 256  |
Big game today, a win here would be a godsend!!!
 Here's a preview of the game from NBA.com Bulls Could Take Second Place When They Host Cavaliers By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN, STATS Editor Posted Mar 30 2007 2:44PM The Chicago Bulls enter Saturday's game in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. A victory over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers would move the Bulls all the way into second. Chicago (43-30) trails Cleveland (43-29) by just a half-game in the conference. Both teams are chasing Detroit for the Central Division lead and top seed in the East. Because the three division winners are guaranteed spots in the top four, the Bulls are in fifth despite owning the third-best record in the conference. They would, however, have home-court advantage over the fourth seed in such a scenario by virtue of their better record. The second seed would be advantageous for both teams for a number of reasons. First, the second seed will likely play a team with a losing record in the first round of the playoffs, while the fifth seed will play a division champion. Also, the team that finishes second would be on the opposite side of the bracket from the top seed, while the fifth seed would be in line for a possible meeting with the East's best team in the conference semifinals. All that makes Saturday's game a critical one. The Bulls have won two of three meetings with the Cavaliers this season and can clinch the tiebreaker between the teams with a victory. "We're looking at the standings every day," Bulls guard Ben Gordon said. "We've got Cleveland up next, and every game is really important for us." Chicago has done an excellent job of limiting James' playmaking ability in winning the last two matchups. James averaged 31.0 points, but just 2.5 assists, in those two losses. In the Cavs' lone win over the Bulls this season, James had 19 points and a season-high 12 assists in a 113-94 victory Nov. 9. Chicago is on its second four-game winning streak of the month, having clinching a playoff spot with an 83-81 victory over Detroit on Thursday. Kirk Hinrich hit two of three free throws to snap a tie with 2.8 seconds left after he drew a foul on the Pistons' Carlos Delfino. The Bulls shot just 35.7 percent - their lowest mark in a victory this season - but shut down Pistons star guard Chauncey Billups (3-of-16 shooting) and took a 2-1 lead in the season series. Chicago has won eight of its last 10, a strong finish reminiscent of the previous two seasons. The Bulls won 15 of their final 19 in 2004-05 and 12 of 14 to close last season. "These last nine games are important for us," Hinrich said. "The last few years we've fought hard down the stretch and we want to do that again. We've got a chance to win the conference. We've just got to take care of our business and we'll see what happens." Cleveland has been struggling, falling to 2-4 in its last six with a 97-93 loss at New York on Wednesday. The Knicks shot 50.0 percent from the field, three days after Cleveland allowed Denver to shoot nearly 60 percent in the Cavs' 105-93 loss. "My concern is that defensively we are not bringing it," Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. "We are not understanding what has gotten us to the level that we are at, which is at that end of the floor. We are not doing any of the things that we normally do that makes us a good defensive team. It is disappointing." The Cavs will also have to contend with red-hot Bulls center Ben Wallace, who's averaging 8.1 points and 12.3 rebounds in March - his highest averages in a month in his first season with Chicago. Copyright 2006 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited http://www.nba.com/games/20070331/CLECHI/preview.html |
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Mar 31 2007, 03:59 PM
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#16
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Leading Scorer Group: Members Posts: 1,047 Joined: 12-March 06 Member No.: 4 |
Gordon is embarrassing himself in the 4th quarter and OT.
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Mar 31 2007, 04:00 PM
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#17
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Superstar Group: Members Posts: 3,150 Joined: 20-March 06 Member No.: 73 |
Wow what a loss, Gordon blows it... Good victory for cleveland, they played good defense the last 1:00. Gordon really had a bad game if you ask me despite putting up huge numbers.
We are not better than the Cavs, face it. |
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Mar 31 2007, 04:01 PM
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#18
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Leading Scorer Group: Members Posts: 1,047 Joined: 12-March 06 Member No.: 4 |
Gordon chokes one more time, what a freaking joke of a performance in the biggest game of the year.
How is it possibly to be that big of a goat when you score 37 points? Gordon pulled it off. His performance the last 15 minutes of the game was a complete joke. Yay 5 seed |
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Mar 31 2007, 04:03 PM
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#19
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Superstar Group: Members Posts: 3,150 Joined: 20-March 06 Member No.: 73 |
Worst loss of the season. It sucks that we couldn't win a game this big considering Tyrus had 27 points. Hinrich played well, Tyrus played extremely well, Wallace was alright but Gordon was just awful.
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Mar 31 2007, 04:03 PM
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#20
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Rookie Group: Members Posts: 83 Joined: 13-March 06 Member No.: 18 |
QUOTE (Chicago Bulls Franchise @ Mar 31 2007, 04:53 PM)  Wow what a loss, Gordon blows it... Good victory for cleveland, they played good defense the last 1:00. Gordon really had a bad game if you ask me despite putting up huge numbers. We are not better than the Cavs, face it. I am far from a Bulls optimist, but I don't buy that, at all. The Cavs really don't impress me, and if the Bulls make 1 more basket, the win or are still playing. Now, why does Gordon think he is the 2nd coming. Everyone in the building knew when the ball got in the hands of Gordon, he was going to take the shot. He doesn't look for the pass, he just shots. That works if your Kobe or Lebron. Not Ben freaking Gordon. |
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Mar 31 2007, 04:03 PM
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#21
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Bench Group: Members Posts: 263 Joined: 15-March 06 Member No.: 59 |
Four chances today... Skiles and Gordon blew that one. You'd have thought they'd give the ball to someone else after Gordon screwed up that 2nd time but he had FOUR chances? Ridiculous.
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Mar 31 2007, 04:04 PM
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#22
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Starter Group: Forum Moderator Posts: 994 Joined: 23-March 06 From: Atlanta Member No.: 84 |
QUOTE (WHarris1 @ Mar 31 2007, 03:52 PM) Gordon is embarrassing himself in the 4th quarter and OT. Yeah, that was a terrible last minute especially. They just dared the Bulls to give it to someone else by double teaming Gordon, but he kept the ball and turned it over... Just f'n great. I only get to see the Bulls a few times a year, and this is not what I wanted to see. |
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Mar 31 2007, 04:05 PM
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#23
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Skills Competitor Group: Forum Moderator Posts: 1,675 Joined: 14-March 06 Member No.: 52 |
He narrowly missed the game winning three. Shot about 50% and played 47 minutes. Cut him some slack. Bulls aren't going to win everygame.
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Mar 31 2007, 04:07 PM
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#24
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Superstar Group: Members Posts: 3,150 Joined: 20-March 06 Member No.: 73 |
It certainly had a "playoff" type atmosphere but it just sucks that we couldn't get it done. I didn't get to see the 1st quarter, but I saw Skiles with a screwy rotation and put freaking victor Krapa on Lebron James. Are you freaking kidding me? Deng did a nice job and I realize he needs a break every once in a while but you can't put a slow white guy who plays like a freshman in college on a proven NBA great. We battled out there but came up short. O well now I get to watch the Cardinals
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