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 The opponent was the Washington Wizards, who ousted Chicago from
the playoffs last season and took two of the first three games in
the season series this year. It might have looked like just another
game to many, but the Bulls' 97-92 victory meant more to each side.
"They're the team that eliminated us last year in the playoffs,"
said Bulls forward Joakim Noah, who recorded a double-double with 14
points and 12 rebounds. "When that happens, it's always more than
just (a game). Even subconsciously, it's more than just a basketball
game."
Noah, whose emotional on-court antics were the subject of scorn by
the Wizards prior to the game, was involved in the most memorable
play. After catching a pass on the low post, Nene slid over in the
paint and swatted Noah in the head and shoulder with 8:13 left in
the fourth quarter and the Bulls up 79-72.
Nene was called for a flagrant foul, his fifth foul, and fouled out
three minutes later with no points and six rebounds. Words were
exchanged after the flagrant, but it didn't escalate.
After filming an anti-violence public-service announcement earlier
Tuesday, Noah fought the urge to retaliate.
"It's part of the process and I really don't know what to say right
now," Noah said. "I'm just happy we won and I'm happy I kept my
composure. Just trying to put out a video a couple hours before the
game about non-violence and trying to teach these kids big picture,
you know what I mean? So, it wouldn't have been a good look. Not
today."
The Chicago roster isn't real pretty either. Starting guards Derrick
Rose and Jimmy Butler are out several weeks with injuries and
reserve forward Taj Gibson will also miss action.
The Bulls got past it against Washington by leaning on depth and
veteran leadership from center Pau Gasol, who grabbed three rebounds
in the final 1:25 of the fourth with the Bulls clinging to a slim
lead.
Gasol's final rebound was at the offensive end with 8.5 seconds left
after a missed 3-pointer by guard Tony Snell. The Bulls led 95-92,
but sealed the win with two free-throws by Gasol, who was fouled by
Garrett Temple.
"It is a collective effort," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. "You
cannot replace Derrick or Jimmy or Taj individually. You have to do
it as a team. They are going to keep coming and they are all tough.
We are going to need a lot of resiliency and a lot of fight."
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Bulls rookie reserve forward Nikola Mirotic led all scorers with 23
points and grabbed eight rebounds, guard Aaron Brooks scored 22
points and had eight assists, and guard Tony Snell added 14 points.
Gasol and Noah each logged double-doubles, with Gasol's 20 points
and 10 rebounds increasing his NBA-leading double-double count to
39.
The Wizards dropped eight straight road games and haven't won away
from home since Jan. 27. Since Washington's previous trip to
Chicago, a 105-99 win Jan. 14, the Wizards are 7-15 and have lost 12
of their past 15 games.
"The game was lost in a variety of ways," said guard Bradley Beal,
who scored 13 points. "(It was) just bad possessions, and I feel
like I had a lot of open shots that I should have made, which
could've put us in a better position to win the game."
Guard John Wall led Washington with 21 points and 11 assists, and
enter Marcin Gortat had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Paul Pierce
scored 16 points and forward Otto Porter finished with 11 the
Wizards.
NOTES: The Bulls played their first game since losing both G Jimmy
Butler (elbow sprain) and PF Taj Gibson (ankle sprain) in a loss to
the Los Angeles Clippers this past weekend. Butler is expected to be
out three to six weeks, while Gibson could be sidelined several
games. The Bulls are also without starting PG Derrick Rose (meniscus
tear). ... The Bulls' starting lineup, which had played just seven
minutes together, was the 20th different combination this season for
coach Tom Thibodeau. ... Wizards F Kris Humphries (groin strain) did
not play, missing his third straight game.
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