NBA Game Summary - New Orleans/Oklahoma City at Chicago

03.24.2006

Chicago, IL (Basketball News) - Ben Gordon scored 25 points off the bench as the Chicago Bulls overcame an early deficit to defeat the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, 96-82, at the United Center.

Luol Deng had 17 points and seven rebounds and Kirk Hinrich dropped 14 points and dished out nine assists for the Bulls, who got a much needed win to snap a four-game losing streak. The Bulls got great production from their bench in addition to Gordon’s effort as Tyson Chandler pulled down a season-high 21 boards and Othella Harrington added 16 points for Chicago, who now trail the Philadelphia 76ers by 2 1/2 games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Seven different Hornets scored in double figures including Chris Paul, who led the way with 13 points. David West, P.J. Brown and Linton Johnson each tallied 11 points for the Hornets, who continue to struggle as they have now lost 10 of their last 11 games.

With a four-point advantage heading into the final frame, the Bulls gradually extended their lead throughout the quarter and with 1:47 remaining, Deng drained a three-pointer to ice the game, putting Chicago up, 91-80. The Hornets never got to within single-digits the rest of the way.

The Hornets closed the first quarter on a 13-2 run as Paul started the spurt with a pair of free-throws and finished the opening stanza with eight points to lead the Hornets, who held a 28-15 advantage after one quarter.

Chicago gradually chipped away at the lead and with 4:17 to go in the second quarter, Hinrich drilled a shot from long distance to tie the game at 42-42. The Bulls pulled ahead as Harrington followed with back-to-back jumpers to put his team ahead, 46-42. The Bulls led, 50-46, at the break as they outscored the Hornets 35-18 in the second quarter.

The Hornets embarked on a 10-1 sprint to open the second half as Johnson scored five points over that span, including a three-pointer to cap the run and give the Hornets a 56-51 lead. The Bulls countered with a 10-1 run of their own as Deng’s layup gave Chicago a 61-57 edge with 3:21 to go in the quarter.

The two teams have now split their season series at 1-1...The Hornets struggled from the floor shooting just 35.1 percent while Chicago connected on 43.6 percent...Speedy Claxton scored 10 points, dished out six assists and had five steals for the Hornets...The Bulls got 48 points from their bench compared with 41 points for the Hornets.

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