Monday, December 03, 2007
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Bulls Top Bobcats for 1st 2-Game Streak

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[December 03, 2007]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Ben Gordon scored 34 points, Luol Deng added 29, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Charlotte Bobcats 111-95 on Saturday night to win consecutive games for the first time this season.

Ben Wallace grabbed 19 rebounds and added 10 points for the Bulls, who shot 54 percent from the field.

The Bobcats have dropped five straight after an impressive start. Jason Richardson scored 22 points and Emeka Okafor added 21 points and nine rebounds.

The Bulls took control in the third quarter, building a 15-point lead behind a 22-5 point run. Gordon hit three consecutive 3-pointers during that stretch, the last of which he converted into four points after being fouled by Richardson.

The Bulls continued their dominance in the fourth quarter, ultimately emptying their bench with 3 minutes left to play.

Deng scored 15 points in the first quarter, highlighted by a spectacular layup on a feed from Tyrus Thomas. The Bulls, who have struggled from the field this year, shot 60 percent in the period.

The Bobcats scored eight straight points to open the second quarter, tying it at 31. They converted 10 second-quarter Bulls turnovers into 19 points and eventually took the lead for the first time in the game when Jason Richardson sank a wide-open 3-pointer late in the quarter.

The Bulls, however, reclaimed the lead on Gordon's layup on their final possession of the half.

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Bulls rookie Joakim Noah, who injured his right ankle in the preseason, came out of the game after spraining his left ankle on the first play of the second half. He did not return.

The Bulls, who have been among the worst shooting teams in the league this season, hit 60 percent from 3-point range.

Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace, who averaged 26 points over the last two games, finished with 17 Saturday.

Notes: The game marked a collegiate reunion of sorts, with former Connecticut teammates Gordon and Okafor facing off. Coaches Scott Skiles and Sam Vincent were also college teammates, playing together at Michigan State. Okafor had double-doubles in the Bobcats' three previous games.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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