Bulls whitewash Clippers 92-73
LOS ANGELES -- Andres Nocioni has been in the Bulls' starting lineup for just two games. On Saturday, he managed to fire up both teams with his presence.
Nocioni scored 21 points to help lead the Bulls to their second victory of the season, a wire-to-wire 92-73 whitewash of the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. The Argentine forward also managed to play a role in three different flagrant fouls.
"Clearly in both games he's started, he gives us a presence out there with how assertive he plays," coach Scott Skiles said. "His emotion and passion of the game rub off on other people."
Ben Gordon led the Bulls with 25 points, but particularly impressive was the play of center Ben Wallace, who finished with 13 rebounds, 9 points, 6 steals an 3 blocks. Wallace sat out the entire fourth quarter of the Bulls' previous three games, but that streak ended Saturday.
The other highlight was the Bulls' defense against guard Cuttino Mobley, who scored 33 points in a Clippers' win at the United Center last week. Mobley was 3 for 10 from the field for 9 points in the rematch.
"That's as close as we've looked to how we normally play," Skiles said. "It's taken awhile, but I'm glad to have one of them."
The Bulls (2-6) got off to a fast start against the Clippers, leading 29-16 after one quarter despite missing 8 free throws.
Tempers began to rise midway through the second quarter. Nocioni and Ruben Patterson bumped a few times while fighting for position. When Patterson caught the ball and spun toward the basket, Nocioni chopped down on his arms and also appeared to catch the Clippers forward on the face and neck.
After the foul, Patterson got in Nocioni's face, but the players were separated without any damage done. Patterson got a technical foul for his response.
"I did a hard foul, because he hit me with the elbow twice before that," Nocioni said. "It just was a flagrant foul and that's it. Nothing happened. I don't have any problem with him."
On the Bulls' next possession, Nocioni caught the ball and was immediately belted by Clippers forward Tim Thomas, who was given a flagrant foul. In the third quarter, Clippers center Chris Kaman (21 points) pushed the flagrant foul count to three by pushing Nocioni from behind on a layup attempt.
Bulls forward Luol Deng played 27 minutes despite a sore back. The Clippers, already missing all-star Elton Brand, were without Corey Maggette (right hamstring strain) and rookie Al Thornton (sprained right ankle) on Saturday.
The Clippers (5-4) shot 39.4 percent from the field, never led and were never closer than 7 points after the first quarter.
Following the game, Skiles suggested he might follow a new guideline for his playing rotation. Second-year forward Tyrus Thomas did not play at all in the second half.
"Ben (Wallace) played so well. The front court played so well," Skiles said. "I've got to look at the way we've played from the beginning of the season and consider maybe I should have the veterans out there a lot more and the younger, developmental guys maybe shouldn't be out there as much."