Game 18: Bulls 95, Bobcats 89
Three Stars
1. Luol Deng: 22 points (.597 TS%), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
2. Carlos Boozer: 23 points (.484 TS%), 9 rebounds, 3 steals
3. Omer Asik: 6 points (.393 TS%), 15 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks
PG C.J. Watson – Mike James
SG Rip Hamilton – Ronnie Brewer
SF Luol Deng – Kyle Korver
PF Carlos Boozer – Brian Scalabrine
C Omer Asik
There are teams that go to battle every night in the NBA with rotations like that, but here in Chicago, thankfully, the watered-down look was a product of hopefully minor injuries to Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and John Lucas III.
But even the Bulls’ split-squad lineup was enough Saturday against the perennially hapless Bobcats. Depending how you feel about Gerald Henderson, you could argue all five Chicago starters still were better than anyone Charlotte had to offer.
And they definitely have no one like Luol Deng.
Record: 15-3, first in the Eastern Conference
Next: Monday 1/23 vs. Nets, 7:00 CT