ESPN Network: ESPN.com | NFL.com | NBA.com | NHL.com | WNBA.com | ABCSports | EXPN | FANTASY | INSIDER

  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses






Monday, Mar. 12 7:00pm ET
Bulls lose 19th straight on road

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- For the first time this season, the Charlotte Hornets took the Chicago Bulls seriously. The result was an easy victory over the worst team in the NBA.

Charlotte, which needed three overtimes to beat Chicago the first time they played this season and a last-second 3-pointer in the second game, dominated the Bulls on Monday night for a 102-94 victory.

"Teams aren't going to just come in and lay down for us," said Charlotte guard David Wesley. "We need to remember that and to play hard against everybody because bad teams can sneak up and get you."

Charlotte will have to keep that in mind all week. The Hornets have upcoming games against Vancouver, Cleveland and Washington -- all teams with sub-.500 records that rank at the bottom of their divisions.

But all three teams of those teams have beaten the Hornets this season and Washington has done it twice.

"These games will probably be dangerous for us," Elden Campbell said. "Our first order of business is to take care of them."

Jamal Mashburn had 28 points, 8 rebounds and a career-high 14 assists to lead the Hornets, who won their ninth straight against the Bulls.

Campbell added 26 points and P.J. Brown had 10 points and 11 rebounds to tie Charlotte's club record with nine consecutive point-rebound double-doubles. Wesley scored 14.

The win improved Charlotte to 11-2 since the All-Star Break and pulled the Hornets within two games of Milwaukee for the Central Division lead.

"We're right where we want to be," Wesley said. "We need to take care of business and keep playing well. If we do that, we can win a lot more games."

Former Hornet Brad Miller had 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Bulls, who extended their road losing streak to a franchise-high 19 games. They've now lost 25 of their last 30.

The Bulls, who fell behind by 15 in the first quarter, briefly made it a game when they took a 50-49 lead with 1:21 to play in the second quarter. But Charlotte closed out the half with an 8-2 run and Chicago never challenged again.

The Bulls fell apart after the break, failing to score a point for the first six minutes of the third quarter. Elton Brand turned the ball over on three straight possessions and had a shot blocked by Campbell as Chicago self-destructed.

By the time Ron Mercer sank two free throws, the Hornets had built a 75-54 lead with 6:28 to play in the quarter.

"Their run to start the third really deflated our momentum heading into the half," Brand said. "It's tough to combat a team that runs 16 straight points off."

Things got worse for Chicago. Coach Tim Floyd, who drew a technical for arguing with officials in the second quarter, was ejected from the game during a timeout.

Once he was gone, the Bulls scored seven straight points to pull within 81-70 at the end of the quarter. They closed the game with a 10-1 run in the final minute to make the final score closer than the game was.

"I was disappointed with our defense," Floyd said. "If there is one constant in this league, it's that you have to defend. That's why Charlotte is so successful. They defend well every game. We don't."

Mercer finished with 20 points and Brand added 18.

Game notes
The Hornets placed guard Eldridge Recasner on the injured list before the game because of back spasms. They did not fill the roster spot, leaving open the possibility that they could sign forward Scott Burrell. The former Hornet still lives in Charlotte and has been working out at the Hornets' training facility. Charlotte vice president Bob Bass declined to comment on any interest in Burrell. ... Chicago, which once won 17 straight against the Hornets, last beat Charlotte on Feb. 27, 1999. ... Mashburn's previous career high in assists was 10.

Send this story to a friend
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Chicago Clubhouse

Charlotte Clubhouse

RECAPS
Charlotte 102
Chicago 94

Minnesota 94
Miami 77

San Antonio 99
LA Clippers 81

Denver 84
Golden State 79


ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.