Morning Box Score: Bulls Win Preseason Finale, Blackhawks Win Streak Snapped
By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 21, 2011 2:40PM
The Bulls are as ready for their Christmas Day regular season close-up as they're going to get after playing another tough preseason game against Indiana. Carlos Boozer led the team in scoring with 24 points while Derrick Rose, who will sign a five-year, $94 million contract extension later this morning, added 12 points and nine assists. Rip Hamilton made his debut in a Bulls uniform, contributed 13 points and six assists and looked like the answer at the two-guard spot.
The Blackhawks had their five-game win streak stopped thanks to the net-minding work of Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who stopped 36 of 38 Hawks shots. Evgeni Malkin assisted on all three of Pittsburgh's goals, giving him 11 points in his past four games. Jonathan Toews and Viktor Stalberg each scored third period goals for the Blackhawks.