SB Nation Chicago - Bulls Vs. Thunder: Chicago Struggles Badly In Blowout Loss, 92-78https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2012-04-02T07:01:04-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26807322012-04-02T07:01:04-05:002012-04-02T07:01:04-05:00Chicago Bulls Notebook: OKC Thunder Dismantle Banged Up Bulls
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<p>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.</p> <p>Even in a truncated campaign as accelerated as this one, the NBA's regular season still features a relatively heavy dosage of off-nights. There are too many Tuesday games against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-jersey-nets" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Nets</a> and road trips to Detroit for the schedule to feel riveting on a nightly basis, even for the most high-volume basketball minds. As a fan, you pay your dues against the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Raptors</a>, against the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a>, against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a> for dates like the one we had yesterday: a Sunday matinee against the always aesthetic <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, a group as close to a mirror image in the other conference as <span>Tom Thibodeau's</span> <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a> have.</p>
<p>In a sense, Bulls-Thunder is even more compelling than a game against the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a>. The Bulls play the Heat four times this season, and the two teams battled to the death in a five-game slugfest in last year's Eastern Conference championship series. The Thunder are the great unknown, at least in relation to how our bunch matches up and battles against a team so similarly successful and so filled to the brim with explosive young talent. That's why, more than any other emotion triggered, Chicago's 92-78 whimper of a loss to OKC registers as positively disappointing. Save for the potential meeting in the Finals we're all hoping for, this was the only contest of the season between these two league-wide titans. Instead of a thrilling and competitive spectacle of pure athletic entertainment, we got <i>that</i>. It's all so disheartening.</p>
<p>Ever since November 20, Chicago sports have been relatively boned by that pesky, unsquashable injury bug. A promising and maybe even charming 7-3 Bears team subsequently crumbled in the wake of Jay Cutler's broken thumb. Since, we've had a season-ending knee injury to Matt Forte during his breakout campaign, a lingering concussion to Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, and a collection of injuries to the Bulls' starting backcourt that has prevented the world from seeing what this team should *really* look like. Sure, injuries have given way to several captivating moments (the JL3-Heat game immediately comes to mind) and all narratives are forever evolving, but it's still been a bummer. None of us choose to spend our free time so engrossed in sports to watch Caleb Hanie overthrow a receiver by 15 yards. No one anxiously anticipates Bulls-Thunder all year for an Oklahoma City smackdown against Chicago's B Team.</p>
<p>As any slacker-leaning son or daughter knows, 'disappointing' is the descriptor you aim most to avoid. The word is toxic. But as the Thunder turned a 10-point halftime lead into a 29-point crater of a deficit entering the fourth quarter, 'disappointing' is the only word that qualifies. Yes, it fits in regards to the effort out of a team in which that aspect never gets questioned, but even beyond that, Sunday's loss was such a let down because we may go all year without being granted the pleasure of watching these two fantastic, electric teams square off at full strength. We have been robbed of a great time, and deserve to feel a little bitter about it.</p>
<p>Yes, this performance out of our normally heroic Bulls was fucking meek. Chicago doesn't roll over and take it this way in the Tom Thibodeau era, but it happened on Sunday afternoon. It's an outlier of an outcome more than anything, as even with superstar guard <span>Derrick Rose</span> missing every game since March 5, the Bulls still somehow finished the month with the NBA's best record at 13-3. Miami, with Dwayne Wade and LeBron James on the court, only went 10-6. You never have to wonder about the fight in these Bulls, but sometimes you just can't overcome a talent deficiency this vast. This was a pounding of the highest order, a beating even more severe than the final score indicates.</p>
<p>Will our Bulls live to fight another day? Of course. This team is a gift; the ideal local squad to root for. Rest assured, they'll be back, probably as soon as tonight against the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a>. But as Pedro Martinez <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who%27s_your_daddy%3F_%28phrase%29" target="_blank">once said</a>, sometimes you just have to "tip your cap and call <span>Russell Westbrook</span> your daddy."</p>
<p>For the Bulls, this time was Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p>If we're being real, the Thunder are a joy. Losing to them does not sting nearly as bad as a loss to Miami or the <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pacers</a>, or another war-tested squad our Bulls are so much more familiar with. Watching <span>Kevin Durant</span> play basketball is a blessing. Is there an athlete alive as rad as Russ Westbrook? The Thunder may be mostly composed of friendly hipsters, but no one plays a more engaging brand of the sport. The Bulls are only as telegenic when Rose is at the apex of his destructiveness. Even then, matching OKC on an aesthetic level is still a bit of a stretch.</p>
<p>On Sunday, the Thunder did what the the Thunder do. They shined. They threw half-court alley oops and finished poster-worthy dunks. They hit impossible shots against tough defense and pushed the tempo past the speed limit. They dominated the Bulls, and we're all a little more sullen for it.</p>
<p>But so far as foreshadowing moments on the season calendar go, it's probably best not to place a ton of stock into this one. This was abnormal. The Bulls aren't overpowered so thoroughly on a basis with any regularity. Oklahoma City certainly earned this beatdown. It's a feather in their cap, a highlight on their own 2011-2012 season resume just weeks before the playoffs begin. Yet instead of worrying about real world problems the Thunder may have revealed for our Bulls, I'm more dismayed at being deprived of a game that should have been a blast. The game we got was not a blast. It was a game that should never be considered again.</p>
<p>2. Sunday night, ESPN's Ric Bucher <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/RicBucher/status/186621912930197505" target="_blank">tweeted </a>that Rose should be back soon, and threw out Thursday's game against the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a> as a possible return date. If Rose is steadily getting healthy and is fit for live action, it's obviously wonderful news. But everything I heard up until Bucher's tweet makes it seem like Rose's groin injury is severe, and that he might not be back before the regular season ends.</p>
<p>ESPN Chicago preps reporter Scott Powers is covering the Bulls some at the moment, and on Saturday he told me that Rose was wincing as he ran in warmups before Friday's game with the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a>. If it hurts to run, I certainly wouldn't suspect he'll be back this week.</p>
<p>The Bulls should, quite obviously, be as cautious as possible with Rose. They only need him for the playoffs. Chicago should win its first round series even without him. It's entirely possible, though maybe not likely, the Bulls can reach the conference finals without Rose. I mean, why not? They've been so great for so long this entire year whenever he's sidelined.</p>
<p>If he's healthy and ready to go: awesome. Part of me just worries our ultra competitive superstar might be rushing back a bit. That would be pointless, and possibly very damaging.</p>
<p>3. Only because I'm told people like moving pictures more than of words....</p>
<p>Russell Westbrook to Kevin Durant half-court alley oop:</p>
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<p>Here's two different angles of Westbrook's dunk over Asik. So nasty.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1037459/russ-westbrook-asik-dunk.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1037459/russ-westbrook-asik-dunk_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Russ-westbrook-asik-dunk_medium"></a> <br id="1333345671067"></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1037463/westbrook-bulls-dunk.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1037463/westbrook-bulls-dunk_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Westbrook-bulls-dunk_medium"></a> <br id="1333345719871"></p>
<p>4. Uh. WTF are you talking about, Boozer?</p>
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<p>5. OK, this edition of the Bulls Notebook has probably been pretty emo. Apologies. Let's end on a couple high notes.</p>
<p>After the Bulls' Friday night win over the Pistons, <span>Joakim Noah</span> <a href="http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/31/joakim-noah-can-dance-if-he-wants-to-he-can-leave-your-friends-behind/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">dance bombed</a> Comcast SportsNet reporter Gail Fisher. It was great.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1037467/joakim-noah-dance.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1037467/joakim-noah-dance_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Joakim-noah-dance_medium"></a> <br id="1333346121676"></p>
<p>My buddy Sebastian also made this:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1037455/joakim-noah-guns.jpg"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1037455/joakim-noah-guns_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Joakim-noah-guns_medium"></a> <br id="1333345221399"></p>
<p>If you <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxD_7S7bl8k" target="_blank">think this is funny</a>, there's a good chance we'd be real life friends.</p>
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<i>Ricky O'Donnell is the editor of </i>
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<a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Chicago</a>
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<i> and the founder of the Chicago sports blog </i>
<a href="http://www.tremendousupsidepotential.com/" target="_blank">Tremendous Upside Potential</a>
<i>. Follow him on </i>
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<i> or reach him at richardpodonnell@gmail.com.</i>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/4/2/2919231/bulls-thunder-derrick-rose-injury-kevin-durant-mvpRicky O'Donnell2012-04-01T14:50:04-05:002012-04-01T14:50:04-05:00Bulls Vs. Thunder Final Score: Chicago Finishes Strong, But It Doesn't Matter In 92-78 Loss
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<p>You can credit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> didn't need to do much in the fourth quarter of their 92-78 throttling of the Derrick Rose-less Bulls on Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.blogabull.com/" target="_blank">Blog a Bull</a> or stay tuned to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Chicago</a>. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" target="_blank">Welcome to Loud City</a> or take a look at <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Kansas City</a>. For lots more on pro hoops, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba" target="_blank">SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/4/1/2918482/bulls-thunder-recap-nba-2012Satchel Price2012-04-01T13:54:42-05:002012-04-01T13:54:42-05:00Bulls Vs. Thunder Score Update: Chicago Trails 80-51 After Brutal Third Quarter
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<p>Everyone expected the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> to have a tough time against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> on Sunday afternoon without <span>Derrick Rose</span>, 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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><span>Kyle Korver</span> leads the Bulls with 14 points, no other Chicago player has scored in double-digits. <span>Russell Westbrook</span> has been electric with 27 points, five assists and four steals, while <span>Kevin Durant</span> has put up 26 points and 10 rebounds.</p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/4/1/2918397/bulls-thunder-score-nba-2012Satchel Price2012-04-01T13:50:37-05:002012-04-01T13:50:37-05:00Bulls' John Lucas III Had A Cool Childhood
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<p>As he finally begins to make a name for himself this season as the surprisingly effective third-string point guard for the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a>, <span>John Lucas III</span> has suddenly been shoved into the limelight. That's given him a chance to discuss what his childhood was like in front of a national audience, reminding us all that our childhoods weren't really all that cool.</p>
<p>For those who don't remember, Lucas III is the son of former NBA player and current <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> assistant coach John Lucas II. That apparently gave him access to some simply awesome experiences.</p>
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<p>My big brothers are <span>Steve Francis</span>, <span>Allen Iverson</span>, <span>Damon Stoudamire</span>, guys that I have a personal relationship with. And, you know, being around <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Magic</a> Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, um, rebounding for these guys. And George Gervin being my godfather, actually teaching me how to finger roll and the techniques.</p>
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<p>He goes on from there to discuss how those experiences helped him to become the NBA player that he is now, explaining how he uses those past experiences to help him as he emerges within the league now.</p>
<p>(And additionally, my mom works near the Berto Center in Deerfield and says that Lucas III came off as a great guy upon meeting him once. So for now, let's all just admit that John Lucas III is just one cool dude.)</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/4/1/2918371/bulls-john-lucas-childhood-nba-2012Satchel Price2012-04-01T13:05:48-05:002012-04-01T13:05:48-05:00Bulls Vs. Thunder Score Update: Chicago Trails 49-39 At Halftime
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> are trailing 49-39 going into halftime against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> on Sunday afternoon. Chicago struggled badly on offense in the first half without starting point guard <span>Derrick Rose</span>, and the game likely wouldn't be nearly as close if the Bulls weren't doing such a strong job on the boards.</p>
<p>Shooting was an issue for the Bulls in the first half as they drained just 36 percent of their shots. Outside of <span>Kyle Korver</span>, the team shot extremely poorly from long range, and <span>Joakim Noah</span> has played quite poorly on offense so far. The Thunder, on the other hand, are shooting a very solid 48 percent from the field.</p>
<p>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 <span>Carlos Boozer</span> has eight points and six rebounds. <span>Russell Westbrook</span> leads the Thunder with 18 points and <span>Kevin Durant</span> has added 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.</p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/4/1/2918305/bulls-thunder-score-nba-2012Satchel Price2012-04-01T12:33:10-05:002012-04-01T12:33:10-05:00Bulls Vs. Thunder Score Update: OKC Leads 27-20 After First Period
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> are trailing 27-20 after one period against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> 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.</p>
<p>Even without <span>Derrick Rose</span>, 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.</p>
<p><span>Kyle Korver</span> and <span>Carlos Boozer</span> lead the Bulls with six points apiece. <span>Russell Westbrook</span> was impressive for OKC in the first period, scoring 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting. <span>Kevin Durant</span> did his thing a bit as well, chipping in eight points as the Thunder showed few problems against Chicago's vaunted defense.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog a Bull</a> or stay tuned to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome to Loud City</a> or take a look at <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Kansas City</a>. For lots more on pro hoops, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/4/1/2918233/bulls-thunder-score-nba-2012Satchel Price2012-04-01T11:19:09-05:002012-04-01T11:19:09-05:00Richard Hamilton Injury: Bulls SG Game Time Decision Vs. Thunder
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
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<p> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> will need all the help they can get today when they face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and one of the best backcourt tandems in the league in <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and <span>James Harden</span>. Whether <span>Richard Hamilton</span> 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."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Thibodeau stills says Richard Hamilton is a gametime decision and that <span>Derrick Rose</span> is for sure out.</p>
— Royce Young (@dailythunder) <a data-datetime="2012-04-01T15:55:15+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/dailythunder/status/186481862837927936">April 1, 2012</a>
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<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Hamilton hasn't seen the floor during a game since he played a single minute vs. the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Indiana Pacers</a> on March 5, and with the playoffs just around the corner, it may be time for the Bulls to starting tuning him up.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit <a href="http://www.blogabull.com/" target="_blank" style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Blog a Bull</a> or stay tuned to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/" target="_blank" style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">SB Nation Chicago</a>. For updates and perspective on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head on over to <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" target="_blank" style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Welcome to Loud City</a> or take a look at <a href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/" target="_blank" style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">SB Nation Kansas City</a>. For lots more on pro hoops, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba" target="_blank" style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub</a>.</i></p>
<div><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><br></i></div>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/4/1/2918117/richard-hamilton-injury-bulls-thunderJordan Sargent2012-04-01T08:38:44-05:002012-04-01T08:38:44-05:00NBA Standings 2012: Bulls Still League's Top Team
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmWVZDPbF6WZGWPFgXhd1yfCHyU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828105/large_chicago.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
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<p> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Today's match up between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> 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.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> for the East's top seed. The Heat enter play on Sunday at 37-13 as they travel to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a>. 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> are leading the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> for the No. 8 spot by 2.5 games, but with the Knicks missing both <span>Amare Stoudemire</span> and <span>Jeremy Lin</span> for an extensive period of time, that order may flip in the not too distant future.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bulls, please visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog a Bull</a> or stay tuned to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>. For lots more on pro hoops, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub</a>.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/4/1/2917820/2012-nba-standings-chicago-bullsJordan Sargent