| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
 GAME FLOW
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bulls finally won a road game, beating the
same team they defeated in Chicago two nights earlier.
Toni Kukoc scored 33 points to help the Bulls come up with a
series of firsts in a come-from-behind 110-103 victory over the
Washington Wizards on Friday night.
|  | | Toni Kukoc passed out a team-high 10 assists to go along with his 33 points. |
It was the Bulls' second consecutive victory, both against the
Wizards, to give them their first winning streak of the season. In
addition, it was Chicago's first road victory after 15 consecutive
losses and the first time the Bulls reached 100 points this season.
"It was a good night," Chicago coach Tim Floyd said.
"Everyone was kind of pointing to this after (Wednesday). I've
always believed that one game has no bearing on the next, but this
certainly gives us confidence."
The Bulls held Washington to a franchise low point total in
Wednesday's 77-66 victory. Chicago had a tougher time in this game,
rallying from a nine-point halftime deficit to outscore Washington
61-45 in the second half.
Kukoc made much of the difference as Chicago has won both games
since he returned from a 24-game absence due to back spasms. He
shot 14-of-16 from the free throw line and 9-of-15 from the field.
Kukoc also added 10 assists.
"We have only played two games together," Kukoc said. "It is
great that we have won those two games."
The fans booed the Wizards heavily in the game's final moments,
and the players just shook their heads in the locker room.
"We probably can't go lower than this," Washington guard Rod
Strickland said. "We can't help but take the heat for this one.
This is not good."
The Wizards held several 10-point leads in the first half and
had an 11-point advantage early in the third quarter before Kukoc
and B.J. Armstrong sparked the Bulls.
Armstrong scored 10 of his 14 points in the third quarter as the
Bulls rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to take a 77-73
lead heading into the final period.
"It's a step in the right direction for us," Armstrong said.
"That's a big feat for us."
Kukoc scored 10 in the fourth quarter, including a jumper with
one second left on the shot clock and 2:45 left in the game for a
101-90 lead.
The Wizards shot 61 percent in the first half but still needed a
10-2 run to take a 58-49 halftime lead. Kukoc scored 18 in the
first half to keep the Bulls close.
Chicago then took the lead by ending the third period with a
17-7 run as Washington coach Gar Heard sat his starters in the
final minutes. Heard also sat most of his starters for part of the
fourth quarter as the Bulls took command, stretching the lead.
The Wizards struggled on offense throughout the second half,
even missing layups down the stretch as they tried to rally.
Juwan Howard was the lone Washington starter to shoot well, going 9-of-12 from the field and finishing with 19 points.
Game notes
Washington's Isaac Austin was sidelined by strep throat. ... The Bulls signed veteran guard Matt Maloney earlier in the day.
... Washington's Juwan Howard, Aaron Williams and Reggie Jordan all come from Chicago, while teammate Rod Strickland went to college at
DePaul...Elton Brand had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls.
| |
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Chicago Clubhouse
Washington Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 101
Sacramento 93
Chicago 110
Washington 103
Atlanta 105
Toronto 97
Vancouver 101
New Jersey 91
New York 94
Orlando 86
LA Lakers 87
Charlotte 83
San Antonio 102
Phoenix 83
|
