Rose, Deng lead Bulls to 121-76 rout of 76ers

[December 22, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Derrick Rose and Luol Deng each scored 22 points, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Philadelphia 76ers 121-76 on Tuesday night for their eighth win in nine games.

Despite missing two big men, Chicago dominated nearly every offensive category and recorded its most lopsided win of the season.

Rose also had 12 assists for his seventh double-double, while Carlos Boozer had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Kurt Thomas added 12 points.

Andre Iguodala scored 17 points and reserve Thaddeus Young added 12 for Philadelphia.

Chicago trailed only in the opening minute, then used a 10-0 run later in the first quarter to open its first double-digit lead. The advantage grew to 90-50 with 1:01 left in the third and 50 with less than five minutes to play.

Chicago was without 6-foot-9 forward Taj Gibson, who suffered a concussion during last Sunday's 100-99 home loss to the Clippers. He was the second Bulls big man sidelined in the last week following Joakim Noah's thumb surgery last Thursday.

Rose shook off a sore right wrist but scored 11 points in the first quarter. Deng added 10 as the Bulls opened a 33-19 lead. Chicago made 10 of its first 14 shots (71 percent) in the first 8:40.

The Bulls' lead never slipped under 10 points in the second quarter. Korver had eight points off the bench, including a pair of 3-pointers to help the Bulls to a 61-43 lead by intermission.

The lead passed 30 points during a 16-0 run and hit 40 with 1:01 remaining when Rose hit his second 3 pointer of the game to open a 90-50 lead. James Johnson's two free throws with less than five minutes to play pushed the lead past 50.

Chicago shot a season-high 64.5 percent, while Philadelphia managed just 28 of 80 (35 percent), its lowest of the season.

NOTES: The crowd of 21,521 was the Bulls' 14th straight sellout this season. They led the NBA in average attendance entering the game with a 21,397 average.

[Associated Press]

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