Chicago Bulls Notebook: OKC Thunder Dismantle Banged Up Bulls

The Chicago Bulls were uncharacteristically lax in a Sunday afternoon loss to Oklahoma City Thunder. What should have been a highly entertaining game was instead uncompetitive and probably meaningless.

Bulls Vs. Thunder Final Score: Chicago Finishes Strong, But It Doesn't Matter In 92-78 Loss

You can credit the Chicago Bulls for giving it everything they had in the fourth quarter, but it simply didn't matter after what had happened in the previous 36 minutes of play. The Oklahoma City Thunder didn't need to do much in the fourth quarter of their 92-78 throttling of the Derrick Rose-less Bulls on Sunday afternoon.

Chicago finally came on in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Thunder 27-12 in the game's final 12 minutes, but the game was already well out of hand at that point. Oklahoma City led by 29 points after three quarters, allowing the team to take the foot off the gas pedal in an easy win over one of the NBA's best teams.

The Bulls shot just 33 percent from the field, 8-of-24 from three-point range and 10-of-15 from the free throw line, so there wasn't much working on offense all day. Chicago once again put up a big number of offensive rebounds, but the shots simply weren't falling.

John Lucas III put up 19 points, including five three-pointers, to lead Chicago. The Bulls also got 14 points from Kyle Korver and a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) from Taj Gibson. Kevin Durant had 27 points to lead the Thunder and Russell Westbrook put up 26 in an impressive performance. Most of their damage was done early in the game as OKC built its lead.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit Blog a Bull or stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City or take a look at SB Nation Kansas City. For lots more on pro hoops, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

Bulls Vs. Thunder Score Update: Chicago Trails 80-51 After Brutal Third Quarter

Everyone expected the Chicago Bulls to have a tough time against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon without Derrick Rose, but they couldn't have expected anything like this. An absolutely brutal all-around performance has Chicago trailing 80-51 after three quarters in OKC in what's arguably the worst performance that the Bulls have had all season.

The Thunder positively dominated the third quarter, 31-12. Chicago struggled offensively from the beginning, but the bottom fell out after halftime. The Bulls are shooting just 30 percent from the field and they've turned the ball over ten times.

Kyle Korver leads the Bulls with 14 points, no other Chicago player has scored in double-digits. Russell Westbrook has been electric with 27 points, five assists and four steals, while Kevin Durant has put up 26 points and 10 rebounds.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit Blog a Bull or stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City or take a look at SB Nation Kansas City. For lots more on pro hoops, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

Bulls' John Lucas III Had A Cool Childhood

Bulls Vs. Thunder Score Update: Chicago Trails 49-39 At Halftime

The Chicago Bulls are trailing 49-39 going into halftime against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon. Chicago struggled badly on offense in the first half without starting point guard Derrick Rose, and the game likely wouldn't be nearly as close if the Bulls weren't doing such a strong job on the boards.

Shooting was an issue for the Bulls in the first half as they drained just 36 percent of their shots. Outside of Kyle Korver, the team shot extremely poorly from long range, and Joakim Noah has played quite poorly on offense so far. The Thunder, on the other hand, are shooting a very solid 48 percent from the field.

The Bulls have a 24-19 advantage on the boards and eight offensive rebounds so far, a big part of why they're still in the game. Korver leads Chicago with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting and Carlos Boozer has eight points and six rebounds. Russell Westbrook leads the Thunder with 18 points and Kevin Durant has added 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit Blog a Bull or stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City or take a look at SB Nation Kansas City. For lots more on pro hoops, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

Bulls Vs. Thunder Score Update: OKC Leads 27-20 After First Period

The Chicago Bulls are trailing 27-20 after one period against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon. The match-up is potentially a preview of this year's NBA Finals given that both teams are currently among the league's elite.

Even without Derrick Rose, the Bulls have kept things somewhat competitive with their predictably strong efforts on the rebounding side of things. Chicago is shooting just 39 percent from the field compared to 50 percent by Oklahoma City, but the Bulls have used rebounding to get some second chances and keep things close.

Kyle Korver and Carlos Boozer lead the Bulls with six points apiece. Russell Westbrook was impressive for OKC in the first period, scoring 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Kevin Durant did his thing a bit as well, chipping in eight points as the Thunder showed few problems against Chicago's vaunted defense.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit Blog a Bull or stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City or take a look at SB Nation Kansas City. For lots more on pro hoops, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

Richard Hamilton Injury: Bulls SG Game Time Decision Vs. Thunder

The Chicago Bulls will need all the help they can get today when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder and one of the best backcourt tandems in the league in Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Whether Richard Hamilton will be able to chip in will be determined at game time, though this season it has seemed like "game time" decision has been Bulls code for "out."

Thibodeau stills says Richard Hamilton is a gametime decision and that Derrick Rose is for sure out.

— Royce Young (@dailythunder) April 1, 2012

Hamilton hasn't seen the floor during a game since he played a single minute vs. the Indiana Pacers on March 5, and with the playoffs just around the corner, it may be time for the Bulls to starting tuning him up.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit Blog a Bull or stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City or take a look at SB Nation Kansas City. For lots more on pro hoops, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

NBA Standings 2012: Bulls Still League's Top Team

Today's match up between the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder features the two teams with the NBA's best records, but regardless of the outcome, the Bulls are guaranteed to exit OKC, and the week, with the top record in the league. The Bulls enter the game at 42-11 with the Thunder coming in at 39-12, and with both teams considered near locks to finish with the top seed in their respective conferences, today's game could help decide who has home court advantage should both teams advance to the NBA Finals.

That is of course very far down the road, though, and right now Chicago's primary focus is on keeping a healthy lead on the Miami Heat for the East's top seed. The Heat enter play on Sunday at 37-13 as they travel to face the Boston Celtics. Still the most intriguing race for Bulls fans to keep an eye on is the fight for the eighth seed in the East, as that team will likely face Chicago in the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs. Right now, the New York Knicks are leading the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 8 spot by 2.5 games, but with the Knicks missing both Amare Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin for an extensive period of time, that order may flip in the not too distant future.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit Blog a Bull or stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For lots more on pro hoops, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

Bulls Vs. Thunder: Chicago Eager To Take On The Top Western Conference Team

According to CSN Chicago's Aggrey Sam, the Chicago Bulls appear to be anticipating Sunday night's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder just as much as the fans. Bulls C Joakim Noah made no illusions about his feelings going into the contest:

"It's a big game, it's going to be exciting and we want to play against the best," said Joakim Noah. "They're a great team, we're a great team. Let's get it popping."

Meanwhile, the Bulls head coach, Tom Thibodeau, also spoke with the media and had little but praise for the Western Conference's best team:

Coach Thibs mostly kept to platitudes, but spoke on some specific gameplan issues as well:

"You've just to try to make them work for their points. They're going to score. We've got make them play in a crowd. Try to get our defense set; we've got to rebound the ball; we've got to challenge the shots... We have to have the determination to make them work."

All-Star SF Luol Deng echoed the coach's sentiments, emphasizing the Thunder's talents:

"They're a very good team. Even last night when I watched them, they played great. They've got so many weapons. Their big guys are really good defensively, block shots. It's going to take a total team effort, but we're going to go out there, play hard and try to win," said [Deng]...

The marquee game begins at 12:00 p.m. CDT this Sunday.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit Blog a Bull or stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City or take a look at SB Nation Kansas City. For lots more on pro hoops, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

Derrick Rose Injury Update: Bulls PG Will Not Play Sunday Against Thunder

The Chicago Bulls will have their only NBA regular season game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, and it appears they will go without superstar point guard and reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose.

Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reported on Saturday that Rose would not be playing in the game against the Thunder. McClure reports that Rose is still experiencing problems with his groin injury. McClure also relayed this quote from the star:

Rose on groin, "Just trying to stay positive. It feels the same."

Another quote reveals that Rose is being pragmatic about the situation.

Rose on being tempted to play against Thunder, "I'm not tempted at all. I'm worried about my health right now."

In the long term, it is best for Rose and for the Bulls to put his health first and foremost. The Bulls will enter the postseason no matter what. Far better to have the potential of a healthier Rose available at that time than a less-than-100% player immediately.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit Blog a Bull or stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to Welcome to Loud City or take a look at SB Nation Kansas City. For lots more on pro hoops, check out SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

Bulls Vs. Thunder Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule & More

The Chicago Bulls will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The Bulls will be hoping to snap OKC's five-game winning streak.