Boylan blunt in explaining why Hinrich sits in 2nd half
INDIANAPOLIS -- Kirk Hinrich's third foul, which came 56 seconds into the third quarter Wednesday night, was significant for a couple of reasons.
First, it allowed Pacers point guard Travis Diener to surpass his NBA career high for free-throw attempts in a game. His previous best was 6. He went 10-for-10 from the line against the Bulls.
Second, it marked Hinrich's last game action of the night. The fifth-year guard spent the final 23 minutes on the bench during the Bulls' 113-107 victory.
Asked the reasons for Hinrich's extended benching, coach Jim Boylan didn't list specifics, but he couldn't have been more blunt with his explanation.
"I said there's competition out here," Boylan said. "Bring your 'A' game or come down and sit next to me.
"That's the way that went tonight. I just didn't like the way the first couple possessions went. Everybody's accountable and there are no exceptions."
Hinrich, who finished with 6 points and 3 assists in 17 minutes, left the locker room quickly without commenting.
Diener, the former Marquette star, finished with a career-high 22 points and hit 6 of 10 shots from the field. Heading into this game, Diener had been shooting 32.6 percent in February while starting in place of the injured Jamaal Tinsley.
The last time the Bulls played the Pacers, Hinrich erupted for a career-high 38 points in a 108-95 victory Jan. 23 at the United Center.
More Pacers problems: Indiana forward Shawne Williams left the arena at halftime of Wednesday's game. The team's official explanation was for "personal reasons."
According to the Associated Press, a Tennessee man wanted for murder was arrested after driving away from Williams' home early Wednesday evening. Police said the same man was arrested on a drug charge in September while in a vehicle with Williams.
Noc rolls with punches: The Bulls' bench erupted in protest midway through the fourth quarter, claiming the referees ignored excessive contact directed at Andres Nocioni. Following the game, Nocioni said Pacers forward Danny Granger punched him in the mouth.
Immediately before the incident, Nocioni hit a driving bank shot and finished a 3-point play, giving him 8 points in the first 4:38 of the fourth quarter.
Double-sided win: Coach Jim Boylan mentioned the playoff implications of Wednesday's victory, which left the Bulls 2 games behind New Jersey for eighth place in the East.
"Before tonight's game, we had 11 games coming up against the seven teams that are battling for those last three (playoff) spots," he said. "So anytime you have a matchup against one of those teams, it really counts for two."
Bull horns: Guard Chris Duhon did not play for the third straight game. … The Bulls had 11 turnovers at halftime, then just 2 in the second half.