Deng, Rose lead Bulls to 120-90 romp over Warriors

[November 12, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Luol Deng scored 26 points, Derrick Rose had 22 and the Chicago Bulls raced to a 30-point lead in the first half en route to a 120-90 romp over the weary Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.

Rose added 13 assists for his third double-double of the season. He finished one assist shy of his career best, which he's increased twice already this season. Rose is handing out 9.6 assists per game, 3.3 better than he averaged in either of his first two NBA seasons.

Monta Ellis had 24 points to lead the Warriors, who pulled out a 122-117 victory in New York on Wednesday night. Stephen Curry added 17 points for Golden State, which played without ailing forward David Lee.

Rose and Deng combined for 39 points in a first half that Chicago dominated in every facet of the game. The Bulls outrebounded Golden State 26-20 and forced 11 turnovers (leading to 21 points) while committing only four. They outshot the Warriors 53.1 percent to 39.1 percent.

The Warriors looked tired one night after their win at Madison Square Garden. In that game, Lee sustained a cut on his left elbow when he inadvertently struck former Knicks teammate Wilson Chandler in the mouth.

The blow shattered one of Chandler's teeth into four pieces and dislodged another. One of the bits of tooth ended up in Lee's arm. Lee was able to finish the game, scoring a season-high 28 points, but the wound became so sore afterward that Lee said he couldn't remember experiencing so much pain. He sat out Thursday, with Brandan Wright starting in his place.

Lee's presence might not have made much of a difference for the listless Warriors. The Bulls were quicker to the ball and in transition, and Golden State was flat-footed defensively, leading to several easy baseline buckets for the Bulls. Two of those were two-handed dunks by Rose, bringing the crowd to its feet in what was largely a laid-back atmosphere.

The win was important for a Chicago squad that has one more home game before heading out on a seven-game road swing. That's the annual sojourn known as the "Circus Trip" because the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus reserves the United Center during the second half of each November, forcing the Bulls on a long trip.

Golden State finishes a five-game road trip of its own against Milwaukee on Saturday. The loss to the Bulls dropped the Warriors to 2-2 on the trip, but their 6-3 start is still impressive considering Golden State opened 3-8 last season on its way to a 26-56 record.

Notes: Lee said his arm felt better Thursday and he hopes to be able to play Saturday. ... Ellis entered second in the NBA in scoring at 27.1 points per game.

[Associated Press]

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