Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 27, 2009 4:15PM

Blackhawks Slay Predators
The road was kind to the Blackhawks as they rolled off another victory by beating the Nashville Predators 4-1. Dustin Byfuglien scored a power-play goal halfway through the first period to put the 'hawks up 1-0. Nashville pulled even early in the second but then the 'Hawks exploded in the second half of the period. Patrick Kane and Andrew Ladd had goals a little over a minute apart and Patrick Sharp added a goal late in the period; no goals were scored in the third. Jonathan Toews and Tomas Kopecky each had two assists credited to them on the night. Cristobal Huet had 25 saves on the night. The win puts the 'Hawks at 9-3 for the month of December and up on the Predators by six points for first place. Next for the 'Hawks? The Predators again, completing the home-and-home at the United Center tomorrow night (6 p.m., WGN).

Bulls Sting Hornets
The Bulls bounced back from two tough losses to sting CP3 and the New Orleans Hornets by a 96-85 final. Four Bulls starters scored in double-figures and Tyrus Thomas came off the bench to lead the team with 21 points. Joakim Noah had an impressive double-double (17 points, 18 rebounds) while Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich scored 14 points each. The Bulls found themselves down by one at the half but locked down the Hornets, outscoring New Orleans 23-9 in the third to pull the game out of reach. With Coach Vinny surviving Christmas Eve with his job still intact, the Bulls hope to turn things around. Next up is Indiana on Tuesday night (7 p.m., CSN).