Archive for the 'Bulls' Category

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

Bulls Lose to D-League Team in Miami! Season Over!

Miami Heat Kasib Powell (12) drives around Chicago Bulls player Chris Duhon, left, for a two point shot during the second half of a basketball game, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 in Miami. The Heat won 95-88.

Back in the NBA, Kasib Powell gave the Miami Heat the type of effort they’ve lacked most of the season.

Powell scored a career-high 18 points, leading the Heat to a 95-88 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night that snapped a seven-game losing streak.

Ricky Davis and Chris Quinn each added 16 points as five players scored in double figures for the Heat, the day after coach Pat Riley was elected to the Hall of Fame.

“We got in such a habit of playing with talent only and thinking that talent was going to take care of the lack of effort,” Riley said. “These guys are just unadulterated. Effort is a big part of what our culture is.”

It was Powell’s first game back with the Heat after getting recalled from the NBA Development League and signing a contract for the remainder of the season. Powell was the MVP of the D-League.

“I didn’t know how much I was going to play today,” Powell said. “Any time I go out there, I want to be full of energy and bring a boost up.”

Powell also grabbed six rebounds and had three assists in 37 minutes as he returned to the Heat for the first time since scoring 15 points on March 31.

The Bulls fell to 30-47 and were officially eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoffs after making three consecutive appearances.

“We need to become a better defensive team,” Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich said. “The teams who usually compete for the NBA championship are almost always one of the best defensive teams in the league.”

There were high hopes for the Bulls this season after winning 49 games last season before falling to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

“We’ve kind of lost our identity to what got us here,” Hinrich said. “We kind of lost our edge.”

Luol Deng led the Bulls with 25 points, 19 of which came in the first half. Ben Gordon and Joakim Noah each added 16 points.

Chicago was up by 11, its largest lead of the game, in the third quarter. But the Heat fought back to take a 60-59 lead, with back-to-back 3-pointers by Powell and Davis sparking a 12-0 run.

“We started the third quarter like we typically do, we weren’t ready,” Riley said. “We take a timeout and we just kept playing. We played extremely well.”

Miami took a 69-67 lead into the fourth quarter when Joel Anthony tipped in a miss by Quinn at the buzzer to end the third, drawing a smile from Quinn.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Quinn, who has scored in double figures six straight games. “Obviously, we haven’t had as many wins this year as we’d like, so any time you get out there and have success and winning, it’s a lot of fun.”

After Chris Duhon knocked down a 3-pointer to cut the Heat lead to 76-73, the Heat went on an 8-0 to put the game out of reach. The Bulls were just 6-of-20 in the fourth quarter.

“They wanted it more and played a lot harder as a team,” Gordon said. “A lot of their guys are playing just to stay in the NBA, so they definitely had a higher level of intensity than we showed.”

A jumper by Davis cut the Bulls’ lead to 36-35 late in the first half, but the Bulls responded with a 9-2 run led by Deng, who scored seven points, including a three-point play.



Monday, February 25th, 2008

Sampson Gone at IU and Dakich Takes Over!

Dan Dakich received what likely is his dream job Friday, but under nightmarish circumstances.

The former Indiana player and assistant coach was named the interim head coach to replace Kelvin Sampson, but faces immediate controversy in the form of boycotting players and a snubbed assistant coach.

Only seven players showed up for Dakich’s first practice at Assembly Hall on Friday afternoon. Among the six missing players were starters D.J. White, Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis. Every player attended a walkthrough Friday night, however.

Sampson’s lead assistant, Ray McCallum, will remain on the staff as the assistant head coach.

McCallum, a native of Muncie and a former head coach at Ball State and Houston, was joined by his wife in a two-hour meeting in athletic director Rick Greenspan’s office while the team was practicing.

McCallum declined to comment to reporters as he left Assembly Hall.

Greenspan would not say whether the players who skipped practice were angry over Sampson’s dismissal or Dakich’s promotion.

“You’d be better served to ask them,” Greenspan said. “I’m not going to speak for the players.”

The players refused comment as they entered and left practice Friday and weren’t available during the news conference later that night.

McCallum’s ties to Sampson were thought to be an issue in Dakich’s promotion. However, a university news release issued shortly before Friday’s 9 p.m. news conference praised McCallum’s “integrity and exceptional dedication to the game,” and Greenspan echoed those sentiments.

“It was very important for both Ray and Dan to point out that we have not had any concerns expressed to us in any way about any allegations about any NCAA issues,” Greenspan said. “I know for both of them that’s important for the public to understand.”

Why Dakich, then?

“I felt it was the right choice,” Greenspan said.

Dakich was not available for comment Friday but issued a statement through the university.

“Indiana University and the basketball program have played an important role in my life,” he said. “I want nothing but the best for these players and the institution. The challenge ahead is to maintain the positive momentum that has been built within the team and to keep everyone as focused as possible during this difficult time.”

Dakich will not be available to the media until after tonight’s game at Northwestern.

Greenspan said no decision has been made whether to add an assistant coach. Former Indiana star Damon Bailey aroused speculation when he showed up at Assembly Hall on Friday afternoon, but Greenspan said he was not aware of that.

Dakich, 45, becomes IU’s second interim coach in a turbulent decade for the program.

Mike Davis worked on an interim basis in the 2000-01 season after Bob Knight was fired, and then was hired full time. IU finished 21-13 overall and 10-6 in the Big Ten that season.

Dakich compiled a 156-140 record at Bowling Green (1997-2007). His contract was not renewed after last season. His teams won one Mid-American Conference title but were a combined 22-39 in his final two injury-plagued seasons.

Dakich, who averaged 3.6 points during his playing career with Knight, bears several similarities to his mentor. He was a slow-footed player who had a mediocre college career, and went on to become a hard-driving coach who sometimes alienated players with his intensity but also developed strong bonds with many of them.

Dakich also appeared to earn the respect of IU’s players during his 12 seasons as an assistant coach.

“Danny was a competitor,” 1989 graduate Joe Hillman said. “He competed and scrapped, and he got everything out of what he had. He was just a great competitive guy. He was very, very knowledgeable about the game.”



Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

Indiana in Trouble with NCAA!!

Indiana has received a list of alleged violations from the NCAA and is expected to make it public Wednesday.

University trustees president Stephen Ferguson told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that school officials this week reviewed a report, which stems from impermissible phone calls made by basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff during 2006 and 2007.

The NCAA is not expected to make its ruling until this summer

There won’t be a hearing till this June,” Ferguson said. “It’s just been reviewed, and I think everyone is analyzing it now.”

Ferguson would not detail what is contained in the report.

It comes in response to October’s announcement that a university investigation found Sampson made more than 100 impermissible phone calls while still on NCAA probation for infractions he committed during his tenure at Oklahoma.

Sampson was found to have made 577 impermissible calls from 2000 to 2004 and was punished by the NCAA in May 2006, less than two months after taking the Indiana job. Sampson was banned from calling recruits and making off-campus visits for one year.

Among the restrictions imposed on Sampson was a provision that did not allow him to participate in three-way calls. But the university found Sampson was involved in at least 10 three-way calls, most patched through by then assistant coach Rob Senderoff.

Sampson said in October he was unaware he was participating in a three-way conversation on nine occasions. He also explained Senderoff was helping recruits reach Sampson, in part because Sampson’s cell phone signal often dropped. Recruits then, Sampson said, would call back Senderoff seeking assistance.

NCAA rules do not prohibit three-way calls, although Sampson’s sanctions did.

The university then imposed its own sanctions on Sampson — forfeiting a $500,000 pay raise and one scholarship next season. Senderoff also was punished by forfeiting any bonuses or salary increases for one year and later resigned.

The university now has until May to respond to the report, before going before the NCAA in June.

“The report came out in October, the university filed its response and there’s really not been anything happening (on the board) in the last five months,” Ferguson said. “There have not been any discussions.”

Sampson’s Hoosiers have ignored the potential distractions from the investigation, posting a 20-3 mark and earning the No. 13 ranking in the latest AP poll. Indiana, at 9-1 in the Big Ten currently trails only No. 19 Purdue in the conference title chase.



Thursday, February 7th, 2008

Short Handed Bulls But on A Fight but Lose to Portland!

Trail Blazers 100, Bulls 97

After Portland held off Chicago, Martell Webster teased teammate Brandon Roy, poking him with a tape recorder and getting right in his mug before giggling.

Nothing like a win to bring out the pranksters, but Roy tried to keep it in perspective.

“You can sense that guys are getting ready for the All-Star break and some rest, but we’ve got to fight through,” Roy said.

Roy scored 28 points and LaMarcus Aldridge 18 points for the Blazers, who led Chicago by as many as 13 points in the second half.

Chicago threatened in the final minutes. Ben Wallace’s dunk with 2:01 left narrowed it to 91-88, but Travis Outlaw kept the Blazers out in front with a pair of free throws.

After Tyrus Thomas‘ hook shot closed the gap again for Chicago with 1:14 left, Outlaw answered with his own hook shot to make it 95-90 with 26.9 seconds to go.

Thabo Sefolosha, who had a career-high 22 points, made a layup for the Bulls to pull close again.

After Jarrett Jack made just one of two free throws for the Blazers, Chris Duhon hit a baseline jumper to make it 96-94 with 7.2 seconds left. Jack then went back to the free-throw line, this time making both shots.

Andres Nocioni’s 3-pointer closed it to 98-97 with 0.8 seconds left, but officials had to rule whether Duhon’s foul on Roy came before the buzzer.

The officials added 0.5 seconds to the clock, Roy went to the foul line and made both of his shots for the final margin.

Nocioni also had 22 points for the Bulls.

Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich wasn’t in the lineup because of bruised ribs. Hinrich, averaging 13 points, six assists and 3.5 rebounds, was injured in Chicago’s 118-108 victory at Seattle on Monday. Duhon started in his place.

Ben Gordon also didn’t play because of a sprained right wrist. The guard had 20 points against the SuperSonics and was averaging 20 points, but has struggled of late with his wrist.

I knew our guys would give a great effort tonight being short-handed,” Bulls interim coach Jim Boylan said. “We came up short, but we had our chances down the stretch.”

Thomas returned after missing the game against the SuperSonics with a sprained left foot.

Portland coach Nate McMillan shook up his starting lineup, going with Jack as shooting guard and Roy at small forward. The change wasn’t because of poor play, but because the Blazers have been forced to reshuffle their rotation with the absence of 3-point shooter James Jones, who’s out until after the All-Star game to rest a sore left knee.

The Blazers, who had a 13-game winning streak in December but cooled off considerably in January, next head out on a four-game road trip starting at Detroit on Friday night.

“It’s a good feeling to come out of here with the win, especially when you’re getting ready to go out on the road for a week,” Webster said.

And Roy got Webster back for the microphone-in-the-face routine.

“We’ve just got to stay focused. Right now, Martell is having a hard time getting focused. Hopefully he’ll be ready tomorrow,” Roy said jokingly.

Joakim Noah’s dunk late in the first quarter tied it at 21 before the Blazers began to pull away. Portland answered with a 14-3 run to lead 35-23.

Aldridge’s dunk made it 41-29, and the Blazers went on to lead 49-43 at the half.

The Bulls gained ground in the second half, closing within 66-62 on Nocioni’s 3-pointer. But Roy came back with an off-balance, falling-down jumper, and Webster followed with a dunk to make it 70-62.

“I think we did pretty good and we played hard and we played with heart,” Sefolosha said. “I don’t really see what we could have done different.”



Tuesday, February 5th, 2008

Bulls Offense Comes to Life as They Win in Seattle!

 GordonChicago Bulls' Joe Smith, center, smiles as he sits on the bench after playing 29 minutes and scoring a team high 25 points while defeating the Seattle SuperSonics 108-118 in an basketball game, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008 in Seattle.

A cortisone shot and three miserable days in bed without any desire to eat. That was Joe Smith’s unlikely prescription for a big night.

Smith returned to the starting lineup to score 25 points and the Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 118-108 on Monday night. He had been sidelined for two games last week with a sore knee and then the flu.

“Constant headache. Sore throat. Chest pains. Shivers. Sweats,” the 12th-year veteran said of what he had in the days before Chicago’s second victory in six games.

“I’m still fighting it a little bit.”

Tell that to Seattle. Its soft interior defense made Smith look like the healthiest man on the floor

Then again, the passive Sonics made almost everyone in a Bulls jersey look great. After a three-game spate of unusual defense spawned a season-best three-game winning streak, Seattle reverted to the usual, slacking ways that made it tied with Denver as third-worst in the league in allowing points (103.9 per game) entering Monday.

The Bulls, still playing without second-leading scorer Luol Deng and Monday’s final quarter without slashing point guard Kirk Hinrich, also got 20 points from Ben Gordon. Hinrich added 15 points before leaving with a rib injury, while Andres Nocioni and low-scoring rookie Aaron Gray each had 14 in Chicago’s third-highest scoring game of the season.

“They are not overly talented, so to speak, but they keep coming after you,” said Wally Szczerbiak, who led Seattle with 21 points off the bench.

“If you’re not ready to play, they are going to punch you in the mouth. We can really learn a lot from this team.”

Chicago interim coach Jim Boylan said Hinrich, who also had five assists and repeatedly pushed the ball into Seattle’s soft middle before he left, was to stay in Seattle to get tests at a hospital instead of joining his teammates on the postgame flight to Portland. The Bulls play there Wednesday.

“I don’t know the extent of the injury. I think they are just being cautious,” Boylan said.

Seattle, which also got 20 points from rookie Kevin Durant, still hasn’t won four in a row since April, 2006.

We got outplayed at every position,” said Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo, who added he was “very disappointed.”

“If you score 108 points, you should be able to win the game. We scored 108 and weren’t even in it.”

Boylan said he wanted to start Smith, who had scored nine points in 16 minutes off the bench Saturday at Sacramento while admitting he still felt sick, because he wanted the 12th-year veteran’s scoring early in games. That is especially true with Deng still out indefinitely with an Achilles injury.

Joakim Noah had averaged 10 points while starting the previous three games for Smith, but Boylan said he likes Noah’s rookie energy coming off the bench.

Smith roamed free while getting eight points in the first eight minutes and 14 in all in the first half, as Chicago twice built 10-point leads.

Seattle got no closer than to within five after halftime. Earl Watson made a 3-pointer and Kurt Thomas scored his only basket of the night to begin the second half. Consecutive 3-pointers by Nocioni and Hinrich plus a layup by Smith put the Bulls back up 64-54.

When Seattle got to within 77-71 late in the period, Gordon converted a three-point play and Noah had a tip-in and free throw to make it 82-71.

And when Luke Ridnour’s 3-pointer got Seattle to within 91-84 with 8:41 left, Chris Duhon answered with consecutive, long 3’s — his first two baskets of the game. Smith’s easy layup while roaming free in the lane had Chicago cruising 103-91 with four minutes remaining.

Smith was 9-for-18 shooting, after making just 2 of 12 in his previous start, Jan. 27 in a loss to Phoenix.

“I was knocking down shots before the game, in warmups,” Smith said. “I knew this might be a good one.”



Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

Despite Injuries…Bulls Beat Worst Team in the NBA!

Chicago Bulls injured players, from left, Chris Duhon, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng sit on the bench during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. The Bulls won 86-85.

Kirk Hinrich wasn’t hesitating.

He was taking open jumpers, driving toward the basket, doing everything he could to score. And finally, the shots started falling.

Hinrich finished with 27 points after a rough start, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 96-85, spoiling Randy Foye’s return from a knee injury Tuesday night.

“I felt like I was getting good looks, being aggressive,” Hinrich said. “I just wasn’t quite getting my legs underneath me on my shots and on my drives. So I was just trying to make a conscious effort of playing through fatigue and trying to get the job done.”

Hinrich found the energy — and the stroke — in time to lead the Bulls past a team that is showing signs of progress, even if it has the NBA’s worst record. The Timberwolves had won three of four, beating Phoenix along the way, and the lone loss during that stretch was by one to Boston.

Foye, sidelined all season by a a stress reaction in his left kneecap, scored 11 points in 17 minutes and felt fine afterward.

“I just wanted to get a win tonight,” Foye said.

Hinrich made sure that didn’t happen.

He hit a jumper midway through the third quarter to break a 49-49 tie after missing 11 of his first 12 shots. His layup two minutes later made it 57-55, and the Bulls started to pull away. He scored 12 points in the period as Chicago built a 71-62 lead.

Andres Nocioni added 18 points for Chicago, which had lost three of four, and the Bulls got a solid outing from Joakim Noah (10 points, 13 rebounds).

The Timberwolves never challenged in the fourth.

They hit just 1 of 14 3-pointers, and they couldn’t get much going inside during the second half. Ben Wallace contained Al Jefferson in the final two quarters, contributed four steals and finished with 12 rebounds, helping Chicago to a 48-36 edge on the glass.

“Ben Wallace’s defense on Al Jefferson was fantastic, especially in the second half,” interim coach Jim Boylan said. “Al is really talented and has improved the last couple of seasons. Ben is good down there in the post. That is a big part of our ability to win the game tonight.”

Jefferson scored 13 of his 20 points in the first half and grabbed 12 rebounds, after delivering a career-high 40 and pulling down 19 rebounds against New Jersey on Sunday. Rashad McCants got going in the second half, scoring all but two of his 16 points, and Marko Jaric scored 14.

It was a rough night for the Timberwolves, even though they welcomed back one of their best players and the Bulls were again missing their stars — guard Ben Gordon (sprained right wrist) and forward Luol Deng (left Achilles’ tendinitis).

“It’s going to take awhile,” Foye said. “I’m not expecting to come out and score 50 points, shut someone down. … Whatever time (coach Randy Wittman) gives me, I’m going to play as hard as I can.”

Foye entered the game with 4:16 left in the first quarter and missed his first two shots, but found his stroke early in the second. He scored seven points in the opening 1:45 of the period, hitting a 3-pointer, and although his minutes were limited, his knee appeared to be fine.

An NBA all-rookie team selection last season, Foye is a key figure as the Timberwolves rebuild following an offseason overhaul in which they sent Kevin Garnett to Boston. He averaged 10.1 points, 2.8 assists and 22.9 minutes while playing all 82 games last year.

Foye said he bruised the knee in summer league and continued to play on it, aggravating the condition. He appeared in three preseason games before shutting it down.

He initially expected to miss several weeks, but the injury was slow to heal. He started practicing on a limited basis on Jan. 7 and began participating in all drills about a week ago.

“They put me through a lot of conditioning workouts leading up to this, so I felt great,” Foye said. “The only thing is I felt a step behind. Certain times I felt as though I could blow past certain people, but I just didn’t. I wanted to set the offense up.”



Tuesday, January 29th, 2008

Are the Cubs in the Market for Bedard and Roberts?

 

While Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella pronounced the deal to acquire Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts dead, the Boston Globe reports there are still rumors of a potentional blockbuster trade between the Orioles and Cubs.

The Cubs are apparently listening to talk about a deal that would send Baltimore ace Erik Bedard and second baseman Brian Roberts to Chicago for a truckload of younger players/prospects. The Cubs are also entertaining the thought of dealing former Sox farmhand Matt Murton to San Diego.



Tuesday, January 29th, 2008

Will Bulls Make a Trade Before Deadline?

 Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire, left, goes up for a shot against Chicago Bulls' Andres Nocioni (5), of Argentina, Ben Wallace (3) and Tyrus Thomas (24) during the fourth quarter of an  NBA basketball game in Chicago,Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. The Suns won, 88-77.

It has become trendy to suggest that Tyrus Thomas is on his way out of town though the last thing Chicago Bulls GM John Paxson is going to do is give up on a player with Thomas’ potential just 1½ seasons after drafting him.

Thomas could be part of a package to bring in a front-line player, but there is no chance the Bulls would trade him just to get rid of him.

If there are any players on the team likely to be traded, it would be Chris Duhon and Viktor Khryapa, who are about to become free agents and may not be back next season. There might be a contending team that could use an extra point guard for the stretch run.



Thursday, January 24th, 2008

Hinrich Scores Career High as Bulls Win Short-Handed!

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23:  Kirk Hinrich #12 of the Chicago Bulls shoots against Jamaal Tinsley #11 and Jeff Foster #10 of the Indiana Pacers on January 23, 2008 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE  (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images)

 Kirk Hinrich surveyed the scene and made the call. This was his night to attack, to carry his team, and he delivered in a big way.

Hinrich scored a career-high 38 points, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers 108-95 on Wednesday night even though their two best players were injured.

“I don’t know what to say,” Hinrich said. “I felt a responsibility to do that tonight. We just needed a win. There was definitely some desperation for this team.”

The Bulls learned earlier in the day that forward Luol Deng would miss one to three weeks because of his recurring left Achilles’ tendinitis. Then, they found out that leading scorer Ben Gordon would sit out with a sprained right wrist.

Even so, they had more than enough to beat the Pacers.

Hinrich, who hit 14 of 21 shots, scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and left to a loud ovation with 40 seconds left.

“You know, he took 21 shots; that might be the most he’s ever taken in a game,” Pacers guard Travis Diener said. “He could have taken 50, the way he was shooting it. I just thought he was more aggressive. He’s a great player.”

He had help, though.

Andres Nocioni added 24 points, including six during a 17-0 run in the second quarter that snapped a 29-all tie and put the Bulls ahead for good.

Rookie Joakim Noah added 14 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, and Thabo Sefolosha scored 14 points.

Danny Granger did all he could to keep Indiana in the game, scoring a career-high 33 points.

“My teammates were finding me and I was knocking them down, but I’d trade it all for a win,” he said.

The Pacers had whittled the lead to 79-77 on a basket by Shawne Williams and two free throws by Mike Dunleavy (10 points) 1:16 into the fourth. But the Bulls went on a 16-6 run that increased their lead to 95-83 with 5:19 left in the game.

Hinrich scored six points during that stretch and delivered a behind-the-back pass in transition to Noah for a dunk that drew a roar from the crowd.

“We got a good win today, but at the same time, we can’t get too happy,” said Noah, who played the entire fourth quarter. “Right now, we’re a team that’s trying to get into the playoffs. We want to be there. And in order to do that, we have to be consistent.”

They moved within a game of Indiana and idle New Jersey for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after absorbing two big blows before tipoff.

Gordon hurt his wrist during a 104-90 loss at Memphis on Monday and was unable to play against the Pacers. Deng’s condition has been bothering him for about a month, and he does not want to rush back.

“We’re going to try to be smart about it,” he said before the game. “I don’t want to come back and have to sit down again. Even if I feel good after one week, I’m really going to try to test it and see how good it feels before I start going again.”

Deng, second on the team at 17.9 points per game, missed three games before returning Jan. 13 at Atlanta. The problem flared up again during the fourth quarter against Golden State on Friday, and he sat out the following night against Detroit. He played 26 minutes at Memphis but sat out the fourth quarter because of the pain and the lopsided score.

The Bulls did just fine without Deng and Gordon, outscoring Indiana by 11 in the second quarter while building a 57-43 halftime lead and pulling away in the fourth.

“I had to make plays tonight, without (Gordon) and (Deng),” Hinrich said. “Those guys do a lot of stuff for us, attack for us on offense. I’m confident I can make plays.”



Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

Bulls Struggle Again as the Grizzlies Prevent Winning Streak!

 Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Miller (33) drives past Chicago Bulls Andres Nocioni in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 in Memphis, Tenn. Memphis won 104-90.

Rudy Gay thinks the Memphis Grizzlies might finally be finding their identity.

For the second straight home game, Memphis jumped out to a big lead before halftime then coasted to an easy victory. On Monday, it was a 104-90 win over the Chicago Bulls.

“We played our game, and we didn’t settle for less,” Gay said. “When we come out and want to play fast, and we don’t settle for anything else, I think we’re pretty good.”

Gay and Mike Miller each had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies. Pau Gasol added 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Mike Conley had 10 points and a career-high 10 assists.

Ben Gordon led the Bulls with 25 points, and Andres Nocioni had 16 points. Luol Deng added 13 points and Kirk Hinrich had 12 points and six assists for Chicago, which shot just 36.5 percent from the field while Memphis connected on 52 percent of its shots.

It was nice to see a strong, passionate defensive effort,” Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni said. “It was good to see our defense step up. There were a lot of deflections and a lot of activity.”

The Grizzlies built a 17-point lead in the second half and maintained the double-digit advantage the rest of the way, winning for the second time in three games.

The Bulls are 0-17 in games where their opponents score 100 points.

The Bulls pulled to 82-72 with 7:20 left, but Memphis made eight of its first 10 shots in the fourth quarter to hold off Chicago, never allowing the Bulls to cut the deficit under 10 in the final period.

None of the Bulls had a good shooting night. Gordon hit eight of 20 shots, while Nocioni was 5-of-16 and Hinrich was 5-of-14. Joe Smith and Thabo Sefolosha both missed six of nine shots.

“We wanted to come out early and be aggressive. Really set the tempo and play our style of basketball,” Conley said. “We really had it going up and down the court, moving it around and getting them uncomfortable.”

Chicago was coming off a 97-81 win Saturday over the Detroit Pistons, the Central Division leader, and expected to be more competitive.

“We haven’t been consistent effort wise, and our record is indicative of that,” Bulls interim coach Jim Boylan said. “We can’t have just one, two or three guys giving effort. We have to have all five. Even the teams that don’t have great records are coming to play.

“Memphis just outplayed us in every area effort-wise.”

The Bulls trailed 36-35 with 3:33 left in the first half but Memphis closed out the second quarter with 12 unanswered points to go into the break with a 48-35 lead.

Miller scored 11 points, and Gay and Conley added 10 points apiece in the half.

Chicago shot 33 percent in the first half as Nocioni missed all five of his shots and Sefolosha missed five of his six shots.

Chicago made a dent the lead in the early stages of the third as Memphis committed four turnovers in the first 2 minutes, leading to a 7-0 run by the Bulls to open the half. But Chicago still couldn’t improve its shooting touch, and after the early mistakes, Memphis found its rhythm and took a 74-62 lead into the final period.

“I really think we kind of ran their legs out a little bit,” Conley said. “We’re used to getting up and down, and I think we really wore on them in the fourth quarter when it came to crunch time. They started missing some of the shots they normally make.”