Greg Oden Debuts In Front Of Home Crowd

(photo credit: yahoo sports/getty images)

After a year of delay, Gren Oden finally had the chance to play in front of his home-crowd in Portland when the Trailblazers faced the Chicago Bulls. Oden entered the game late in the first quarter and helped his team win against the visiting Bulls 116-74. In just 18 minutes of game time, Oden posted a decent 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks stat line.

Brandon Roy scored 20 points for the Blazers while Joel Przybilla added 14 points, 9 rebounds and three blocks.

It was an ugly game for the Bulls as they couldn’t find their rhythm. Only three Bulls scored in double figures. Andres Nocioni led his team with 13 points while Ben Gordon and Drew Gooden chipped in 11 points apiece. Luol Deng missed the game due to a groin injury.

The Blazers simply outplayed the visiting Bulls as shown in stat sheets. The Bulls were outscored in every quarter. The Blazers shot over 50 percent (42-83) from the field compared to Bulls’ 28-81. The home team also did better in the rebound (49-33) and assist (24-13) departments.

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Chicago Wins Draft Lottery

After a very disappointing season, the Chicago Bulls finally see some light when the team won the draft lottery, giving them the right to pick the best prospect in the upcoming draft.

“After this season, we needed a break and I think we just got one tonight.” said Steve Schanwald, the Bulls’ executive VP of business operations.

The miserable Miami Heat settled for the second pick and the Minnesota Timberwolves will go third. The NBA Draft day is on June 26 in New York.

The Bulls will almost certainly choose between college hoops players Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley. Rose played the point for the University of Memphis and carried the team within minutes to the national title against University of Kansas in his freshman year. Beasley is a forward from Kansas State University who averaged 26.5 points and and (NCAA-best) 12.5 rebounds in his freshman year.

The 2008 Draft Order:

1. Chicago Bulls

2. Miami Heat

3. Minnesota Timberwolves

4. Seattle Supersonics

5. Memphis Grizzlies

6. New York Knicks

7. Los Angeles Clippers

8. Milwaukee Bucks

9. Charlotte Bobcats

10. New Jersey Nets

11. Indiana Pacers

12. Sacramento Kings

13. Portland Trailblazers

14. Golden State Warriors

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Valentine’s Day Game Results

Miami Heat 92

Chicago Bulls 99*

 

Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion combined for 53 points but still lost to the Chicago Bulls dropping their ninth straight game.

Kirk Hinrich stepped up for the Bulls who are playing without Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Ben Wallace. Hinrich came off the bench and finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. He had plenty of help from his teammates. Three Bulls players finished with double-doubles. Joe Smith had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Thabo Sefolosha had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Tyrus Thomas contributed 10 points and 12 rebounds. Andres Nocioni chipped in 18 points.

Only Wade and Marion scored in double figures for the Miami Heat. Wade finished with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assist while Marion had 23 points and 7 rebounds. Jason Williams and Marcus Banks had 9 points apiece for the Heat.

 

 

Dallas Mavericks   97

Phoenix Suns    109*

 

Defending MVP Dirk Nowitzki posted 36 points for the Dallas Mavericks but it wasn’t enough to beat the fiery Phoenix Suns on Valentine’s Day.

Amare Stoudamire and Leandro Barbosa had 26 points each for the Suns and Steve Nash finished with 24 points and 13 assists.

Jason Terry scored 29 points for the Mavericks but he and Dirk got little help from their teammates. No other Maverick scored in double digits except for Dirk and Terry. Dallas swingman Eddie Jones had 9 points while Devean George and Brandon Bass each had 7 points.

 

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