“I don’t know – the guys on the bench talk more than the guys when they’re on the floor, for whatever reason”.
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The Lakers are not expected to make the playoffs this season but could still pull the trigger on potential trades next month to see if players like Noah and Lee, who both have expiring contracts, will fit into their system. John Wall’s 17 points led seven Wizards in double figures. But in their past two losses, the Bulls have done the same things they’ve been doing most of the year: getting off to a slow start, playing with low energy, allowing opponents too many second-chance points (the Wizards outscored the Bulls 21-7 in this category).
On Monday night, Noah will split the timetable in half and return to the Chicago Bulls’ rotation in Chicago against the Washington Wizards after three weeks of being on the shelf.
“We battled tonight”, coach Randy Wittman said.
“It’s something that if you want to be a top team, if you want to be a contender for the title, you just can’t afford”, Gasol said. “I told the guys if we play with this intensity and togetherness, we will win”. Jimmy Butler had 19 points and seven assists, and Pau Gasol added 15 points and 10 rebounds. “We need to be better”.
The Bulls (22-14) trace many all of their defensive troubles to miscommunication. “Work as a unit”.
Noah has missed the last nine games, with the Bulls going 7-2 over that time.
Doug McDermott’s four-point play got Chicago within four with 9:34 left, but Washington responded with a 13-2 run to put it away.
Gortat said he woke up with a swollen knee after Saturday’s 105-99 victory at Orlando.
The second half wasn’t much better, as Noah played another nine minutes, missed another five shots, but did finish the game with nine rebounds and four assists. “I’ve said all along with Bobby, once he gets his opportunity, I’m confident he’ll go in and produce”. Portis seems to be ideal for head coach Fred Hoiberg and the team chose not to think about it at that time. It was Wall’s 21st double-double of the season.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 25 points and 11 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs extended their winning streak to eight with a 106-79 victory Monday night over Brooklyn in the Nets’ first game since an organizational shake-up.
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This presents a big challenge for Washington as they face Chicago but a big win should be a good feather on their cap and a psychological advantage heading into their other two meetings.
