'A very poor effort' in Bulls' loss to Bobcats
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Bulls' visit to Charlotte on Tuesday was nearly an exact replay of their previous game against Houston, just without the 17-point, fourth-quarter comeback.
The Bobcats jumped ahead by double digits and stayed there, winning 96-80 in a typically half-filled Time Warner Cable Arena. The Bulls were outplayed from start to finish and end line to end line, enduring their fourth straight road defeat after winning five of seven away from home before the trade deadline.
"That was just a very poor effort, in the first half especially," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "No toughness, no urgency to our game, for whatever reason. So very, very frustrating to see that effort."
The Bulls (27-34) played without forwards Luol Deng (right tibia contusion) and Tim Thomas (left quad tendon strain). Deng decided during warmups that his leg wasn't well enough to play.
John Salmons got his first start since joining the Bulls on Feb. 19, but also played his worst game, hitting 4 of 13 shots for 9 points. The 6-foot-6 swingman averaged 15.0 points and shot 53 percent in his first five outings with the Bulls.
As a team, the Bulls shot 39 percent from the field and connected on just 3 of 15 shots from 3-point range. Tyrus Thomas and Ben Gordon scored 14 points each to lead the visitors.
All five Charlotte starters scored in double figures, led by guards Raja Bell and Raymond Felton with 18 each. The Bobcats (26-35) won their fourth straight are just a game behind the Bulls.
"You've got to play every night," Del Negro said. "That's what you're paid to do. You've got to come ready to do your job, go to work and we didn't do that tonight. Our guys weren't ready from the jump ball."
Charlotte knocked down 14 of its first 23 shots and opened a 16-point lead in the second quarter. The Bulls made a run after halftime, closing within 68-60. They got the ball with a chance to pull closer, but Gordon was called for an offensive foul and the Bobcats finished the third quarter on an 11-2 run. The Bulls never made a serious run in the fourth.
Before the game, Del Negro seemed to get defensive when asked about general manager John Paxson's comments saying rookie Derrick Rose needs to play in the fourth quarter.
"I'll make decisions on the team on what I see fit for our players and when they should play and when they don't," Del Negro said. "I know my players better than anybody. Derrick's going to be out there in the fourth quarter and everybody is going to be held accountable defensively. If I feel there's an advantage for us to do certain things in the fourth quarter, those are decisions I have to make as a coach and I'll make them."