Friday, February 08, 2008
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Bulls Spoil Webber's Return to Warriors

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[February 08, 2008]  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Chris Duhon scored a career-high 34 points, Joseph Smith had 27 and the undermanned Chicago Bulls hung on for a 114-108 victory over the Warriors on Thursday night, spoiling Chris Webber's return to Golden State.

Duhon's 11-of-16 shooting, four 3-pointers and nine assists carried the Bulls as they somehow stayed in front of the well-rested Warriors.

The Bulls were playing their fourth road game in six nights without three of their top four scorers. Chicago used just eight players while injured Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich were sidelined.

With steady production from a slow-paced offensive plan in a 37-point fourth quarter, Chicago won in Oakland for the first time in nine tries since Jan. 30, 1998, during Michael Jordan's final season with the club.

Webber had four points and two assists in 12 minutes in his first game with the Warriors since the former No. 1 overall draft pick forced a trade after his rookie season more than 13 years ago. Wearing an orange headband and his familiar No. 4, Webber was introduced to mild applause in Golden State's starting lineup, but struggled right along with his teammates.

Al Harrington, who's likely to lose playing time to Webber, had 20 points and hit four 3-pointers, but Baron Davis' 8-for-24 outing and Stephen Jackson's 6-of-19 performance doomed the Warriors to just their second loss in six games. Monta Ellis led Golden State with 25 points, while Davis had 22 and Jackson 19.

Chicago calmly maintained a narrow lead from the first minute of the fourth quarter, repeatedly holding off Golden State's rallies. Tyrus Thomas took charge late, scoring 13 of his 15 points in the final period as the Bulls scored on nine of 10 possessions down the stretch.

After Davis hit a layup to pull Golden State within 101-100 with 2:16 left, Chicago scored the next seven points -- all on free throws, including four by Smith, another former No. 1 pick (1995). Davis also missed a driving layup that could have put Golden State ahead.

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The Warriors last week signed Webber, who was traded to Golden State on draft day in 1993, to add a competent low-post defender and solid passer to their uptempo offense. The move also turned out to be a pre-emptive strike in the current Western Conference stockpile of big men, with Pau Gasol's move to the Lakers and the Suns' acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal.

Webber got an immediate taste of the Warriors' tempo the very first time he touched the ball. When Webber got out in front on a fast break, Davis hit him with a sharp pass -- but Webber badly missed an awkward layup. Webber then missed a jumper, sparking a few boos, but recovered by blocking a shot.

The first half was dominated by Duhon, the fourth-year guard who hadn't scored more than 13 points in a game this season. He surpassed that minor milestone during the first quarter, hitting his third 3-pointer over Ellis with 2:42 left.

Notes: Before the game, Chicago coach Jim Boylan said he wouldn't be surprised if his club finishes its road trip at Utah on Saturday without all three injured stars. Deng's left heel injury is thought to be the most serious, while Hinrich has bruised ribs, Gordon has a sprained right wrist. ... Despite their injury problems, the Bulls waived F Viktor Khryapa earlier in the day. He played in just nine games this season. ... Chicago's Ben Wallace airballed a free throw late in the second quarter, then did it again in the third. He finished 0-for-7 at the line. ... Rapper Nas and LPGA Hall of Famer Juli Inkster attended the game, sitting two seats apart.

[Associated Press; By GREG BEACHAM]

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

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