Bulls Vs. Nets: Chicago Cruises To A 110-95 Win At The UC

While the Chicago Bulls cruised to a 110-95 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Monday night, veteran shooting guard Richard Hamilton scored 22 points and in the process became just the 120th player in NBA history to reach the 15,000 point mark over a career. Hamilton is now one of 20 active players that have exceeded the 15,000 point plateau, and is among a list of current players that includes Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Grant Hill and Jason Terry.

Hamilton's 15,000th point game on a fairly routine fastbreak in a career otherwise filled with sharp cuts around screens for beautiful mid-range jumpshots, but the honor did receive immediate recognition from the Bulls TV crew. He said after the game he didn't know he was so close to the honor, but did add:

"I owe it to all the great teammates I have played with over my career. All the bigs setting screens and things like that. I think I need to take them all out to eat. It's a great accomplishment. It wouldn't be possible without all the great teammates I've had."

Rip is 33 years old and in his 12th NBA season. He has been named an NBA All-Star three times -- 2006, 2007 and 2008 -- all as a member of the Detroit Pistons. Here is a look at the play that marked the milestone:

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By all accounts, Bulls reserve forward Brian Scalabrine is a good guy. Coach Tom Thibodeau consistently lauds his red-headed victory cigar for his effort, teammates are quick to credit him for being like another assistant coach, and Scal is known to give, um, memorable quotes to local reporters. But no one loves Scalabrine as much as Bulls fans (well, maybe Celtics fans...) who have adopted the gravity-bound forward as the team's unofficial mascot. Scalabrine earns overly enthusiastic cheers when the Bulls are headed for a blowout victory, which is usually proceeded by the United Center crowd chanting his name. It may all be harmless fun but it's also, I don't know, a little embarrassing, for reasons that should be obvious enough without spelling out.

On Monday against the New Jersey Nets, Scalabrine actually earned his cheers. The Bulls were short-handed in the front court, playing without Luol Deng and Taj Gibson. That meant Scal actually got some real NBA minutes, and the reserve forward made the most of them. This layup was good enough to place at No. 10 in SportsCenter's top plays of the night:

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The Chicago Bulls played the New Jersey Nets on Monday without two key front court players (Luol Deng and Taj Gibson) and third-string point guard John Lucas III, but you'd never know it judging by their performance in a 110-95 victory at the United Center. The victory was never in doubt for Chicago, as star Derrick Rose returned from a toe injury to lead the team with 22 points.

Rose finished 9-of-16 from the floor, and added eight assists and five rebounds. Guard Richard Hamilton, who scored his 15,000th career point in the first quarter, played what may have been the best game of his brief Bulls tenure. Hamilton scored 22 points and added 10 assists on 10-of-16 shooting. Joakim Noah had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Six Bulls scorers reached double-figures.

Jordan Farmer came off the bench to lead the Nets, who scored 22.

The Bulls shot over 57 percent from the floor, and finished with large edges in rebounds (43-32) and assists (33-23).

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Shooting guard Richard Hamilton has 20 points and eight assists on 9-of-14 shooting to lead the Bulls to a 85-68 lead against the New Jersey Nets tonight at the United Center. Hamilton reached a milestone in the first quarter when he scored his 15,000th career point, and has parlayed it into what is looking like the best game of his brief Bulls tenure.

Derrick rose has 16 points through three quarters. Rose, who also has six assists and four rebounds, is 7-of-12 from the floor and 2-of-5 from three-point range. Joakim Noah is also putting together one of his best games of the year, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds through three quarters. Noah is 5-of-8 from the field and 6-of-7 from the foul line. Ronnie Brewer, who started tonight at small forward in place of the injured Luol Deng, has 11 points and five rebounds.

Deron Williams leads the Nets with 16 points.

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Star point guard Derrick Rose returned to the Chicago Bulls' starting lineup tonight, but forwards Taj Gibson and Luol Deng and guard John Lucas III are all out with injuries. Against the New Jersey Nets, playing without a full roster doesn't matter much. Even without three rotation players, the Bulls still hold a definitive talent edge over New Jersey, and have used it to help build a 59-43 lead at halftime.

Rose has 14 points, and threw down back-to-back dunks during one stretch in the second quarter. Starting center Joakim Noah is also playing well and full of energy. Noah has six points and seven rebounds on 2-of-4 shooting from the field. Guard Richard Hamilton, who scored his 15,000 career point in the first quarter, has 10 points and five assists at the half.

Guards Deron Williams (10 points) and Jordan Farmer (12 points) have led New Jersey.

Chicago is shooting 62.5 percent from the floor in the first half. The Bulls also hold an 18-2 edge over New Jersey in assists.

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Derrick Rose is back in the lineup for Chicago, and behind his eight first-quarter points, the Bulls have taken a 28-18 lead on the visiting New Jersey Nets in the early going. Rose is 3-5 from the field and 2-3 from beyond the arc.

Richard Hamilton made only one basket in the quarter, but it got him to a big milestone: 15,000 career points.

The Bulls shot 52.4% in the period, and Ronnie Brewer leads them in scoring with nine points.

Related: Bulls vs. New Jersey Nets: Game Preview #19

Deron Williams has just two points for New Jersey, though he has handed out five assists.

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It looks like the injury-riddled Chicago Bulls got the good news they were hoping for on Monday:

Derrick just told me he's going to play.

— Nick Friedell (@ESPNChiBulls) January 23, 2012

That report was seconded by K.C. Jones of the Tribune.

Related: Bulls vs. New Jersey Nets: Game Preview #19

Rose has been sidelined by a toe injury since Jan. 14. He's missed the team's last four games, though the Bulls went 3-1 over that span. Chicago will need to boost from Rose's return, as neither Taj Gibson nor Luol Deng are going to play. Joakim Noah and John Lucas III should be able to go if everything goes okay during warmups.

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The Chicago Bulls (15-3) have an impressive record and a top spot across NBA power rankings -- and having a reigning MVP in PG Derrick Rose certainly helps that -- but credit is due to the ever-impressive bench.

The "Bench Mob," as they were affectionately named in the 2010-2011 season, have once again displayed the Bulls' incredible depth, boasting a roster of players capable of not only contributing, but excelling in the place of injured starters.

The latest roundup from CSN Chicago features a montage of praise for this group of reserves.

"Guys on this team want to play," said SF Richard Hamilton, who scored a season-high 20 points on Saturday's win with four key Bulls players out. "When guys went down, we just came together and just said... we'll just have [their backs]."

"We have more than enough to win with," said head coach Tom Thibodeau. "The next guy steps up; he knows what he has to do."

The Bulls starters are among the most appreciative when it comes to the Bench Mob:

"When guys are hurt, they cheer for the [guys] on the floor," Hamilton said. "In the NBA, that's hard to find."

F Carlos Boozer, one of the few starters to play all 18 games in the 2011-2012 season, said the Bulls depth may have even improved this offseason:

"I think we're a little bit deeper than we were last year," Boozer said. "I think from a confidence standpoint and an experience stand point, I think it'll help us down the road."

The Bulls hope to take less advantage of their notable on Monday night as the team anticipates the return of Rose tot he starting lineup.

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