Huge day for Hinrich in 112-97 win over Memphis
Since the Bulls added four new players Feb. 21, much of the focus has been on how the new guys are fitting in and how shots should be distributed.
During Tuesday night's 112-97 victory over Memphis at the United Center, the spotlight was on point guard Kirk Hinrich.
One of the team's most important players during the three-year run of success, Hinrich has slumped this season. Against the Grizzlies, however, he finished with 19 points and 12 assists, hit 9 of 14 shots and somehow collected 4 blocks.
"Since I've taken over, Kirk, in my opinion, has grown as a point guard," said Bulls coach Jim Boylan, who stepped into the role Dec. 27. "He has more confidence out there. He runs the team more. He talks more in the huddle and he's asserting himself. I appreciate that and I'd like to let him run with it."
Hinrich's offense has come and gone this season. He stepped forward when top scorers Ben Gordon and Luol Deng were sidelined with injuries but seemed to slide into the back seat once Larry Hughes arrived from Cleveland.
"Coaches talk to me about being more vocal, trying to take control of the team because I've been here the longest," Hinrich said. "I think I understand what we're trying to do offensively and defensively. We've got young guys. We need to get on the same page, everybody."
The Bulls (24-36) have produced just 2 wins this season by more than 20 points and none at home since Dec. 11 against Seattle.
The Grizzlies appeared to be a perfect candidate to be blown out Tuesday, and the Bulls obliged by building a 69-39 lead with seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Then again, Memphis probably was well aware that the Bulls built a 20-point lead over Washington on Friday, then gave it all back in a 22-1 run to start the third quarter.
The Grizzlies gave it a good shot, piling up a 23-6 run while scoring on 11 straight possessions. But building the lead to 30 obviously paid off for the Bulls since Memphis got no closer than 102-91 with 3:28 remaining.
The Bulls had nice scoring balance. Drew Gooden was unstoppable around the hoop, finishing with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Deng had 21 points, and Andres Nocioni added 20.
Hughes finished with 8 points. He played the first nine minutes of the third quarter, then spent the rest of the night on the bench. Gordon didn't completely bust out of his shooting slump, but he scored 16 points and hit 4 of 10 shots from the field.
Memphis (14-46) has gone 1-13 since trading 7-footer Pau Gasol.
Bulls center Joakim Noah was overpowered by Memphis' Darko Milicic, who tied his career high with 21 points and hit 10 of 14 shots. In another odd twist, Grizzlies backup point guard Kyle Lowry outscored starter Mike Conley 24-0.
Swingman Mike Miller, who usually lights up the Bulls, missed his seventh straight game with a back injury.
The Bulls moved back within 2 games of the final playoff spot in the East, thanks to New Jersey's loss at San Antonio, and also gained a game on ninth-place Atlanta, which lost to Golden State.