Dec. 04--The summary
Maybe the Bulls should stay on the road. Putting last night's disappointing double overtime loss behind them, they improved to 10-3 away from the United Center with a 102-95 victory over the Hornets in Charlotte. Pau Gasol's 11th double-double in his 16 games led a very balanced effort that featured six Bulls in double figures.
Joakim Noah contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists despite badly rolling his right ankle in the first quarter. Noah, who also rolled that ankle Tuesday night, stayed in the game, later retreated to the locker room to have it re-taped and played on.
Nikola Mirotic joined Gasol in double-double land. And Kirk Hinrich, who finished with 12 points, sank two big 3-pointers late to send the Hornets to their 10th straight loss.
Turning point
Mirotic scored on a traditional three-point play off a fast break and also buried a corner 3-pointer during a 15-4, fourth-quarter run that gave the Bulls a 92-82 advantage.
Tribune player of game
Gasol. He finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds while finishing a back-to-back in which he logged 86 minutes.
Big number
27 -- Noah's seven assists led the Bulls, who assisted on 27 of 37 field goals.
The quote
"Just try to stay ready. I felt like I had good looks the whole game. I missed some of them and was able to get a couple to go." -- Kirk Hinrich on two big 3-pointers late
The quote II
"Pau has great mental toughness. That's what I love about him. He said to the team you have to be ready and playing through fatigue and soreness is part of it." -- coach Tom Thibodeau on Gasol
The quote III
"A little tired, as to be expected. I didn't expect to be super fresh and explosive, but I got through it. I fought through it, just like everybody else. I did my job." -- Gasol on playing 86 minutes in two nights
The quote IV
"The more he plays, the better it's going to get. He has a pretty good idea of the guys who have played with him before. He's learning the new guys. The more he plays, the better his conditioning will be and more comfortable he'll be with the ball." Tom Thibodeau on Rose's recent spate of turnovers
Up next
Vs. Warriors, 7 p.m. Saturday at the United Center.
