Morning Box Score: Clippers Edge Bulls

By Staff in News on Dec 19, 2010 3:00PM

Vinny Del Negro's return to the Windy City was a success. For the Clippers, that is. The former Bulls' head coach and his team left the U.C. with a 100-99 victory over the Bulls. After snapping their seven-game winning streak, looks like they missed Noah more than we thought they would.

Then again, the problem runs a little deeper. It's the Clippers, they should have won with or without Noah. Taj Gibson, Omer Asik, and Kurt Tomas combined for 9 points and 12 fouls; not exactly something we're looking for in Noah's absence. Gibson also suffered a concussion, knocking him out of the game in the third quarter and he may miss a game or two next week.

Clippers' hot shot Blake Griffin had 29 points and 12 rebounds for his 15th straight double-double to lead LA. Before winning a pair of road games the past two nights, the Clippers had lost 15 consecutive games away from home, including the first 11 of the season.

Carlos Boozer ended the game with 25 points, scoring 11 of the team's first 13 points, keeping the score close. Luol Deng also helped jump-start the team's offense and close what could have been an even larger gap, ending with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Deng's efforts gave way to Derrick Rose's 34 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and the 31-28 lead after the first period. However, Rose fell short in the end as he missed the second free-throw with 0.8 seconds left.

The Bulls will lace up again and host the 76ers Tuesday.

By: Angie Wiatrowski