Bulls ready to climb out of cellar

12.5.2005

(Basketball News) - Despite an 8-7 record that would be good enough to lead the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division, the Chicago Bulls are mired in the tough Central Division cellar. Still, they are just a 1 1/2 games out of second place and look to move up in the standings this week.

Chicago has won five of its last seven games. On Saturday, Rasheed Wallace scored 26 points to lead the division-leading Detroit Pistons past the Bulls, 92-79, at the United Center. Detroit has beaten the Bulls in 20 of the last 23 meetings, and in addition, the Pistons have won 11 straight games in the Windy City.

Luol Deng had 18 points in the loss to Detroit for the Bulls. Mike Sweetney contributed 15 points and eight boards, while Ben Gordon had 13 points off the bench in defeat. Sixth-man Gordon leads a balanced attack that has five players averaging more than 11 ppg.

This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. Last year they each won on the other team’s home floor. After the game with Dallas, the team will go on the road for two of the next three with trips to Orlando and Washington.

Deng is averaging 23.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg in the last two outings. Kirk Hinrich is shooting just 6-for-24 over the same time period.

Tyson Chandler stated that his sprained ankle felt fine after Saturday’s loss to Detroit, according to the Chicago Tribune. "Just a little sprain; I’ll be fine," he said.

CHI

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