Now, there were many ways to look at this game between the Bulls and Clippers.
Many people saw it as a trip for the Bulls to Lob City. The Clippers getting instant notoriety, after this clip of Blake Griffin proclaiming what would be known as Lob City:
Others saw it as the match up between two elite point guards, Chris Paul and Derrick Rose.
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
But some us, some of us remember that game last season. Some of us remember that like many competitors, DRose doesn't forget. And he remembers that game against the Clippers where he would miss crucial late game free throws that would lose the game for the Bulls. As he would say afterwards:
The Clippers would open up with a quick 7-0 run, but after a quick timeout the Bulls would settle down, and reel in the Clippers. The big match up concern for the Bulls was basically, anyone against Blake Griffin:
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
If you thought they would match up Boozer on Griffin, you were sadly mistaken. Given the fact that DeAndre Jordan had the dubious distinction of not scoring outside the paint last season, that would be a better matchup for Boozer. Instead, Noah would be a better match up for Griffin, given his excellent lateral movement and agility for a big man.
The first quarter was essentially DRose vs Griffin.
DRose: 11 pts, 6 assists and 2 rebounds
Griffin: 9 pts, 2 assist and 6 rebounds
Rip Hamilton would also put in an excellent quarter with 8 points on 4-6 shooting.
At the half, things were relatively even, with the Bulls holding a 5 point lead.
After the half, the real battle would really begin.
Rose would get by Paul:
Paul would get by Rose:
Griffin would end up muscling and hitting a variety of tough but good shots to the tune of 34 pts to go along with his 13 rebounds. But it was really DRose's aggressive play throughout the second half that would really put the Clippers on their heels. Just looking at his stat line for the 2nd half (18 pts, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2-3 shooting), doesn't quite capture how he tried to impose his will, both on offense and on defense.
3-1 for the longest Western Conference road trip of this shortened season. Still a lot of tough battles ahead.
Four down, 62 more to go!
Hoopdata Box Score:
http://www.hoopdata.com/boxscore.aspx?id=311230012
PopcornMachine BoxScore:
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/boxscore.cgi?date=20111230&game=CHILAC
PopcornMachine GameFlow:
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20111230&game=CHILAC
Many people saw it as a trip for the Bulls to Lob City. The Clippers getting instant notoriety, after this clip of Blake Griffin proclaiming what would be known as Lob City:
Others saw it as the match up between two elite point guards, Chris Paul and Derrick Rose.
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
But some us, some of us remember that game last season. Some of us remember that like many competitors, DRose doesn't forget. And he remembers that game against the Clippers where he would miss crucial late game free throws that would lose the game for the Bulls. As he would say afterwards:
"I remember everything. When I play I'm a quiet guy, so I think of anything to get me going. I hold grudges, man."
The Clippers would open up with a quick 7-0 run, but after a quick timeout the Bulls would settle down, and reel in the Clippers. The big match up concern for the Bulls was basically, anyone against Blake Griffin:
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
If you thought they would match up Boozer on Griffin, you were sadly mistaken. Given the fact that DeAndre Jordan had the dubious distinction of not scoring outside the paint last season, that would be a better matchup for Boozer. Instead, Noah would be a better match up for Griffin, given his excellent lateral movement and agility for a big man.
The first quarter was essentially DRose vs Griffin.
DRose: 11 pts, 6 assists and 2 rebounds
Griffin: 9 pts, 2 assist and 6 rebounds
Rip Hamilton would also put in an excellent quarter with 8 points on 4-6 shooting.
At the half, things were relatively even, with the Bulls holding a 5 point lead.
After the half, the real battle would really begin.
Rose would get by Paul:
Paul would get by Rose:
Griffin would end up muscling and hitting a variety of tough but good shots to the tune of 34 pts to go along with his 13 rebounds. But it was really DRose's aggressive play throughout the second half that would really put the Clippers on their heels. Just looking at his stat line for the 2nd half (18 pts, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2-3 shooting), doesn't quite capture how he tried to impose his will, both on offense and on defense.
3-1 for the longest Western Conference road trip of this shortened season. Still a lot of tough battles ahead.
Four down, 62 more to go!
Hoopdata Box Score:
http://www.hoopdata.com/boxscore.aspx?id=311230012
PopcornMachine BoxScore:
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/boxscore.cgi?date=20111230&game=CHILAC
PopcornMachine GameFlow:
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20111230&game=CHILAC