Open Game Thread #32: Bulls vs. Sacramento Kings

by wjb1492 on Jan 5, 2008 3:52 PM CST

[Thanks to wjb1492 for today's game preview. -Matt]

Tonight the Bulls meet their near-twins from the Western Conference, the Sacramento Kings. Both teams have a 12-19 record for the season, both are 4-6 over the last 10, and both are coming off of a loss. Each stands at 4th in their division and 11th in their conference. The season scoring margins are very similar (-3.3 for the Kings to -3.5 for the Bulls). Both teams are likely to be without key contributors tonight (Lu for the Bulls, Ron Artest, Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin for the Kings). Heck, the Kings even have the rookie the Bulls passed over in drafting Joakim Noah, as Spencer Hawes went next to Sacramento.

Notwithstanding all those similarities, accuscore likes the Bulls in this one, with a 50% chance of a big win. This would be great, as it would render the BG-and-the-last-possession-to-win-or-tie debate meaningless for at least one game, and (if a big enough win) possibly result in some meaningful playing time for the young guys. Imagine, this one game could reunify the blogabull community into a single happy whole!

Anyway, pick your poison for why the Bulls are the favorites: Kings are playing the second night of a back-to-back and are 1-4 over their last 5 with a scoring margin of -8.2, while the Bulls are 3-2 under Boylan with a much improved scoring margin of +5.0. As far as common opponents of late, both teams played @NY in the past week, with the Bulls winning by 17 and the Kings by 10. Still, particularly considering the guys who are out with injuries, the Kings have been playing pretty darn great and are a dangerous team. The game preview says that the Bulls have just 1 win against the Kings during the post-MJ era, so obviously the Bulls haven't played them well at all. I'm guessing quite a few people remember the last second, 89-88 win they got in the UC last year.

I'm picking the Bulls to win, but that shouldn't surprise anyone since I always take the Bulls. So, let's go Bulls! (And GO SEAHAWKS!)

Blogging with the enemy: Sactown Royalty (one of my personal favs)

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Comments

don't forget

john salmons is on roids.

Fire Boylan!

by hscs on Jan 5, 2008 4:01 PM CST 0 recs

I just hope

the Bulls win tonight and everyones favorite players all get to play and they play well.

GO BULLS!!!

Win, just win.

by sue369 on Jan 5, 2008 4:22 PM CST 0 recs

haha

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 5, 2008 6:19 PM CST up 0 recs

Don't worry about reunification

I think most people come here to bitch and argue.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 4:26 PM CST 0 recs

Hmm

is it me or is the kings w/o martin, artest, and bibby like playing a timberwolves light? If they lose this, it will be pretty sad.

by Sambossanova on Jan 5, 2008 5:31 PM CST 0 recs

They won't lose

by gobulls1124 on Jan 5, 2008 5:57 PM CST 0 recs

Bulls Win

Ok.. or they should win, but if they lose .. then its really no big deal anymore.

by exult463 on Jan 5, 2008 6:22 PM CST 0 recs

What if the bulls go on a win streak

Starting today, suddenly for inexplicable reasons, we go on a 15-0 run (TAKE THAT PORTLAND), would u still believe what u believe...

okay i know ure answer ("well that wont happen") but even though the chance is slim it exists, and my point is that theres many a games left in the season. Thats as positive as it can get right now, and if u so choose, you can do that very illogical and yet natural thing...you can hope.

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Jan 5, 2008 6:26 PM CST up 0 recs

wow...

that was moving. someone cue up that Shaggy song from "Fo Love of the Game"...

by Lt.Dan on Jan 5, 2008 6:54 PM CST up 0 recs

I rather people

Read that while watching this

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-WULyz1-OQc

anyone have a good narrators voice? Maybe i can dub it over...

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Jan 5, 2008 6:58 PM CST up 0 recs

Well, I am having a GREAT sports day...

Jayhawks killed BC earlier.

Seahawks just wrapped up a huge win (although they did try to implode for the first couple minutes of the 4th).

It's up to the Bulls to close out the day in style. :)

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 5, 2008 7:00 PM CST 0 recs

May I ask

Where the love for the Seahawks comes from?

by Option27 on Jan 5, 2008 7:10 PM CST up 0 recs

I grew up in Washington and Oregon

which lead to a near-pathological love of the Hawks early in life. When I was in grade school we lived in Eastern Washington, and my dad used to take us to watch training camp. There aren't exactly a lot of NFL teams to choose from up there.

Some things never die.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 5, 2008 7:19 PM CST up 0 recs

So you know where the Tri-Cities are, right?

by hlac on Jan 5, 2008 7:36 PM CST up 0 recs

Oh, yeah!

My grandmother and one uncle and family live in Richland.

Do you know where Odessa is? That's the booming metropolis that I lived in over there.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 5, 2008 7:41 PM CST up 0 recs

I had an intership in Richland tri-cities

The time of one of my early great supersoaks.

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:02 PM CST up 0 recs

o well I can't spell internship

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:03 PM CST up 0 recs

I'm back

Was watching the Celtics. My dad was the Lutheran pastor in Odessa in the '70's, although I never lived there.

Speaking of the Celtics, Celtics 92, Detroit 85. Glen Davis had a hugh game, especially in the 4th quarter. 20 pts, 8/10 fg, and 4/5 ft. Oh well.

by hlac on Jan 5, 2008 9:26 PM CST up 0 recs

Wow, that's crazy.

That place is microscopic! I went to gradeschool there from '77 to '80, so I'll bet my parents knew your dad.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 5, 2008 9:36 PM CST up 0 recs

oh, Red

saying who's out tonight for the Kings:

"[something sounding like Abdur-Rahim], Ron Artest, Henry Bibby, and Kenyon Martin"

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 5, 2008 7:32 PM CST 0 recs

The Pistons and Celts

have it going on. Fun to watch. Reminds me of Sunday afternoons in February several years ago.

by hlac on Jan 5, 2008 7:39 PM CST 0 recs

I find I have little interest

in this team, knowing I won't see Tyrus, much Noah or Gray, no Thabo, not to mention Lu. I'll watch Suns/Hornets, and leave you all to enjoy and debate merits of these on-time-for-practice players.

by marionette on Jan 5, 2008 7:41 PM CST 0 recs

I should mention

that I'm very sad at that realization.

by marionette on Jan 5, 2008 7:45 PM CST up 0 recs

What's up with Noc?

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 7:49 PM CST 0 recs

Either he ate his wheaties,

or he's been reading all those headlines about stepping up.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 5, 2008 7:51 PM CST up 0 recs

Maybe he drank some

Matte.

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 7:52 PM CST up 0 recs

wow!

the bulls are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

by tomcat on Jan 5, 2008 7:53 PM CST 0 recs

Joe Smith used up his "turbo"

in the last game.

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 7:56 PM CST 0 recs

That's exactly what I was thinking

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 5, 2008 8:05 PM CST up 0 recs

way to miss that dunk, joe smith

is tyrus still alive? i miss highlights.

by smegmatic on Jan 5, 2008 7:56 PM CST 0 recs

Noah in early tonight

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 8:00 PM CST 0 recs

I come home and turn on the game

and I see Bulls slippin, throwing bricks, giving up a nice lead and playing like Shyte.

Nothing new here...

Matt said is best a few days ago: Watching this team is a chore now.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 5, 2008 8:01 PM CST 0 recs

what do you think that makes

reading your comments?

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 8:02 PM CST up 0 recs

Like yours are any better?

At least mine are directed at the Bulls....

Asswipe.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 5, 2008 8:05 PM CST up 0 recs

This Bulls team

is at a 5 year low if it were a stock. We at least had some hope back then.

by tomcat on Jan 5, 2008 8:03 PM CST 0 recs

Things have been "sub-prime"

this year.

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 8:04 PM CST up 0 recs

TT is in.

and there is a dunk. is it bearable now?

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 8:04 PM CST 0 recs

Oh shit Tyrus!!!!

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 8:04 PM CST 0 recs

WTF is Tyrus doing out at the 3 pt line

they aren't even guarding him.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 8:06 PM CST 0 recs

Bulls do go cold like no other team, don't they?

But maybe with the awful start Joe Smith will get a night off?

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 5, 2008 8:06 PM CST 0 recs

Well its the moment weve all been

waiting for, Noah and TT together on the floor. And then they pull Noah.

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 8:06 PM CST 0 recs

The Kings have a lineup out there

that wouldn't win a NCAA championship...So why are the Bulls losing?

by RogersPark Kris on Jan 5, 2008 8:07 PM CST 0 recs

my man randy brown asst. coach for the kings

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:08 PM CST 0 recs

Wow, a Tyrus AND Thabo sighting!

by RogersPark Kris on Jan 5, 2008 8:09 PM CST 0 recs

Is Thabo in too?

what is going on? it's like they are playing the youngsters. Nobody could have predicted this, it's unprecendented.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 8:09 PM CST 0 recs

No - your brilliant observation

is unprecendented

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 5, 2008 8:11 PM CST up 0 recs

all it took was the team's

best player getting hurt. Not exactly what we had in mind.

by Scotter on Jan 5, 2008 8:12 PM CST up 0 recs

Its about time they play the youngsters but I

think its because were not too high on the kings since arguably there top 3 players are out with injury.

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:13 PM CST up 0 recs

Is WGN available in HD in chi-town?

Probably is with cable, but I got dish out here on the east coast.

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:11 PM CST 0 recs

Yes indeed.

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 8:12 PM CST up 0 recs

they need to pipe that in the sky to dish. The

game looks better on my regular tv but Im going back n forth with the playoffs.

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:16 PM CST up 0 recs

I thought I read somewhere that the Kings

are a lousy rebounding team. Could have fooled me.

"I believe. I believe. It's silly, but I believe." (Miracle on 34th Street)

by wjb1492 on Jan 5, 2008 8:13 PM CST 0 recs

Now Gray's in

I don't think I can take much more. Matt must have passed out somewhere, probably in his seat.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 8:14 PM CST 0 recs

At least Gray dunked and made it

Wallace woulda done his trademark of late and missed a lay up

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 5, 2008 8:16 PM CST up 0 recs

Thabo!!!!

(he made 2 free throws)

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 8:15 PM CST 0 recs

Alley OOOP!

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 8:17 PM CST 0 recs

Tyruus just had another dunk.

Must be time to bench him.

by RogersPark Kris on Jan 5, 2008 8:17 PM CST 0 recs

Too easy..

We don't want baskets that easy! More scrappy baskets!

by JeffD on Jan 5, 2008 8:19 PM CST up 0 recs

Another Alley OOOP!

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 8:17 PM CST 0 recs

Nice to see TT and his ally-oop again

THAT has been missed, if nothing else

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 5, 2008 8:17 PM CST 0 recs

If you're a girl

it's probably allie

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 5, 2008 8:21 PM CST up 0 recs

true, LOL

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:23 PM CST up 0 recs

As long as Tyrus keeps doing

it they can spell it farvegnugen for all i care.

by philosoball on Jan 5, 2008 8:22 PM CST up 0 recs

they can spell it farvegnugen for all i care

I always preferred fukingruvin.... :-)

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 5, 2008 8:24 PM CST up 0 recs

I think

the precedent is the Bulls don't respect the Kings too much.

by Sports2 on Jan 5, 2008 8:20 PM CST 0 recs

Jax isn't respecting the steelers too much either

up 21-7

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:22 PM CST up 0 recs

The Kings are actually pretty good

at getting out on the fast breaks.

by RogersPark Kris on Jan 5, 2008 8:21 PM CST 0 recs

Good follow by Thabo.

He's looking a lot better.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 8:23 PM CST 0 recs

xept he shouldn't shoot nothing but layups and

free throws.

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:25 PM CST up 0 recs

hell duhon too!!

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:26 PM CST up 0 recs

just like that

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 8:26 PM CST up 0 recs

heh

thabo's foot came down before he got that shot off.

Nocioni-Khryapa in '08

by bullshooter on Jan 5, 2008 8:27 PM CST up 0 recs

Never

stopped Duhon.

by JeffD on Jan 5, 2008 8:26 PM CST up 0 recs

I'll get flamed for this

but I have the feeling that if Thabo got more playing time he would be better.
He just seems like he's out of "game shape", which comes from sitting too much.

It seems like a logical explanation for someone going from how he played last year to this.

Is it spring training yet?

by Bluelou on Jan 5, 2008 8:29 PM CST up 0 recs

I tend to agree but if you gotta see how he

practices. There is no excuse not to be in shape becasue you don't play you have to practice. I just think he hasn't found his nich yet. He is a transtion player, an athletic player. In the bulls half court sets he hurts us cause he can't hit a j. He needs to work on his jumper point blank period and I belive he would get more tick because he can play defence with his size.

by Ibleedbullsred on Jan 5, 2008 8:35 PM CST up 0 recs