Chicago Bulls Team Report - March 31

(Basketball News) - The Bulls continued their red hot play on Wednesday night, registering a 102-99 victory over the expansion Charlotte Bobcats at Charlotte Coliseum.

Ben Gordon scored 22 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter to catapult the Bulls to the win. Gordon, a rookie who has made a name for himself as a clutch shooter this season, scored his team’s last 16 points in the contest to add to that reputation. The rookie of the year candidate made 11-of-17 field goals, including 6-of-8 shots from beyond the arc.

Othella Harrington and Jannero Pargo each posted 16 points for the Bulls, who matched a season high with their seventh consecutive win. Tyson Chandler also notched a game-high 15 rebounds in the win.

Chicago shot 45.2 percent from the field in the contest, including an impressive 12-of-19 (.632) from three-point range. The Bulls were also 14- of-17 (.824) from the free throw line, while outrebounding the Bobcats, 52-41.

Leading scorers Eddy Curry (irregular heartbeat) and Kirk Hinrich (left hamstring strain) missed the contest. Curry is expected to missed Thursday night’s game against Cleveland, while Hinrich is listed as questionable.

The win allowed Chicago to remain one game behind Washington for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards defeated the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Chicago’s 39 victories this season are the most since the 1997-98 season, the last of the Michael Jordan era. Since then the team has averaged roughly 20 wins per-season.

Due to plane problems, the Bulls were forced to stay an extra night in Charlotte before heading home to host the Cavs. Chicago will finish up its week against Charlotte at the United Center on Saturday.