SB Nation Kansas City - Thunder Vs. Bulls: Oklahoma City Runs Wild On Chicago In 92-78 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-04-01T15:53:02-05:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26821112012-04-01T15:53:02-05:002012-04-01T15:53:02-05:00NBA Standings 2012: Thunder Has A 3 Game Lead Over Spurs, 1 Game Back Of Bulls
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<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The Oklahoma City Thunder got a huge victory when they defeated the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> 92-78. The Bulls were without <span>Derrick Rose</span>, but a blowout win over the team with the best record even without their star player is still a good win.</span></p>
<p>Sunday's win for the Thunder kept them three games ahead of the Spurs for the best record in the Western Conference and only one game back of the Bulls for the best record in the NBA.</p>
<p>With just one month left in the regular season the Thunder is likely to be the No. 1 seed out West, but their opponent is still very much up in the air as the bottom of the Western Conference is extremely tight. So, their opponent could be anyone's guess at this point as the difference between the West's No. 6 and No. 10 teams is only three games.</p>
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<h3>Western Standings</h3>
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<th></th> <th>GP</th> <th>W-L</th> <th>PCT</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">1. <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>
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<td>52</td>
<td>40-12</td>
<td class="td-last">.765</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2. <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>
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<td>50</td>
<td>36-14</td>
<td class="td-last">.720</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">3. <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>
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<td>52</td>
<td>32-20</td>
<td class="td-last">.615</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">4. <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>
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<td>52</td>
<td>31-21</td>
<td class="td-last">.596</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">5. <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>
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<td>53</td>
<td>30-23</td>
<td class="td-last">.566</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">6. <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a>
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<td>50</td>
<td>28-22</td>
<td class="td-last">.560</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">7. <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a>
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<td>52</td>
<td>28-24</td>
<td class="td-last">.538</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">8. <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a>
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<td>52</td>
<td>28-24</td>
<td class="td-last">.538</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">9. <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a>
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<td>53</td>
<td>27-26</td>
<td class="td-last">.509</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first">10. <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a>
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<td>51</td>
<td>25-26</td>
<td class="td-last">.490</td>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more info on the Oklahoma City Thunder, check out <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" target="_blank" style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Welcome To Loud City</a>, and For more NBA news go check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba"><b>SB Nation's NBA hub</b></a>.</i></p>
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https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/1/2918597/nba-western-conference-standings-2012Jeremy Mauss2012-04-01T14:33:05-05:002012-04-01T14:33:05-05:00Thunder Vs. Bulls Final Score: Westbrook Destroys Asik, OKC Finishes Off Chicago 92-78
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> are now only one game behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> for the NBA's best record as <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and <span>Kevin Durant</span> combined for 53 points as the Thunder took care of the Bulls 92-78 in the Chesapeake Energy Arena.</p>
<p>The Thunder were able to keep up their hot shooting as OKC shot 49% from the field and <span>Scott Brooks</span>' defense was able to corral the Bulls offense and held them to just 33% shooting as a team. This is the tenth consecutive game that the Bulls have been without the services of <span>Derrick Rose</span>, and although Chicago falls to 7-3 with no Rose in the lineup, the Bulls struggled to stay in front of the explosive Westbrook and Durant.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City will prepare to host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> on Monday night at home, but before you leave. Feel free to enjoy a massive throwdown by Westbrook on the Bulls big man <span>Omer Asik</span>. GET OUT THE WAY BIG FELLA!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VEcqGZ9hNx4" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Russell Westbrook doesn't know how to chill when it comes to attacking the rim. Good for him.</p>
<p><i style="outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,'Liberation Sans',FreeSans,sans-serif; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">For more info on the Oklahoma City Thunder, check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;" target="_blank" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. For the Chicago Bulls, check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;" target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog A Bull.</a></i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/1/2918451/thunder-vs-bulls-final-score-westbrook-destroys-asik-okc-finishes-off-chicago-92-78Eddie Maisonet2012-04-01T13:08:23-05:002012-04-01T13:08:23-05:00Thunder Vs. Bulls Halftime Update: Oklahoma City Leads Chicago 49-39
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<p><span>Russell Westbrook</span> has 18 points and <span>Kevin Durant</span> has 14 points to push the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> to a 49-39 advantage over the beasts of the East <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> in a Sunday showdown in the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.</p>
<p>The Bulls are without the services of <span>Derrick Rose</span> once again as they have taken their talents on the road to Oklahoma. <span>Kyle Korver</span> was put in the starting lineup versus OKC for just the seventh time this season and has made <span>Tom Thibodeau</span> look like a true wise man. 11 points on 4-6 shooting leads Chicago's scoring efforts thus far. Rose's replacement in the lineup, <span>C.J. Watson</span>, has struggled with just 4 points and 3 fouls racked up in the first half.</p>
<p>While OKC is shooting nearly 50% from the field in the first half, the Bulls have done well in rebounding the ball and getting second shot opportunities. A 24-19 rebounding margin has been met with resistance from OKC's ability to defend the rim. <span>Serge Ibaka</span> already has 4 blocks and has altered a few others, and OKC's defense has stifled Chicago considerably.</p>
<p>With a win, Oklahoma City will get their 40th win of the season and will be closer to catching Chicago for the best record in the NBA.</p>
<p><i style="outline-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,'Liberation Sans',FreeSans,sans-serif; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">For more info on the Oklahoma City Thunder, check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;" target="_blank" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. For the Chicago Bulls, check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;" target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog A Bull.</a></i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/1/2918295/thunder-vs-bulls-halftime-update-oklahoma-city-leads-chicagoEddie Maisonet2012-04-01T11:01:02-05:002012-04-01T11:01:02-05:00Richard Hamilton Is 'Game-Time Decision' For Chicago Bulls Against Thunder
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<p>The Chicago Bulls are already a man down. Now it might be another depending on the word in about one hour. <a target="new" href="https://twitter.com/#!/dailythunder/status/186481862837927936">Royce Young from the Daily Thunder is reporting</a> that Richard Hamilton might not play at all today and that Derrick Rose is certainly out. That last bit of news is not surprising, but the Hamilton news is that he will be a game-time decision. That certainly changes the Bulls backcourt even more than believed.</p>
<p>Today’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder is a major statement on national television between the powers of the Eastern and Western Conferences. At least that’s what it was supposed to be. Instead without the star power of Rose, things are looking a bit less sensational than the hype preceding the game looking from several weeks ago. The loss of Hamilton only injures the Bulls a bit more.</p>
<p>Hamilton is averaging 11.3 points per game for the Bulls this season.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more info on the Oklahoma City Thunder, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. For the Chicago Bulls, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog A Bull.</a></i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/1/2918100/richard-hamilton-is-game-time-decision-for-chicago-bulls-againstMatt Conner2012-04-01T10:53:01-05:002012-04-01T10:53:01-05:00Thunder Vs. Bulls Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Radio Info
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<p>Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are ready to suit up today for this afternoon’s match-up between the powers of the Eastern Conference and Western Conference as the Chicago Bulls take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are fresh off of a Friday night win over the Los Angeles Lakers that served as Derek Fisher’s homecoming, and now they hope to make another weekend statement on national television.</p>
<p>The Bulls will be without Derrick Rose, so this will not be the primetime match-up everyone was hoping for. But since the Bulls have won 7 of their last 9, it’s clear that the contest will be a difficult one for the Thunder either way.</p>
<p>“We’re on a nice streak right now, we’re playing good basketball,” <a target="new" href="http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/preview?gameId=320401025">coach Scott Brooks said</a>. “But we can’t rest and we can’t feel good about ourselves because that’s when you get hit pretty hard and then you get frustrated.”</p>
<p><strong>Chicago Bulls (42-11) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (39-12)<br> </strong><strong>Game Time:</strong> Sunday, 12:00pm CT<br> <strong>TV: </strong><span class="caps">ABC</span><br> <strong>Radio Info:</strong> <a target="new" href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html?registration_url=ALP|10-11|NBA|League|AudioLeaguePass|Main"><span class="caps">NBA</span> Radio</a> (free with registration)</p>
<p><i>For more info on the Oklahoma City Thunder, check out <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" target="_blank">Welcome To Loud City</a>. For the Chicago Bulls, check out <a href="http://www.blogabull.com/" target="_blank">Blog A Bull. </a></i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/1/2918081/thunder-bulls-game-time-tv-schedule-radio-infoMatt Conner2012-03-31T14:27:39-05:002012-03-31T14:27:39-05:00Thunder Vs. Bulls: Derrick Rose Will Not Play Against Oklahoma City
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<p>The Bulls are still dominating the competition, however, with seven wins in their last nine games. It's clear that Rose is a superstar, but it's also clear that the Bulls are a great team without him. </p> <p>This Sunday's showdown between the young dynamic powers of the Eastern and Western Conferences will apparently not feature one of the NBA's brightest stars, significantly altering both the importance and star power of the contest between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a>. Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune is reporting that <span>Derrick Rose</span> is out for the game, meaning it hardly serves as a proper lead-up to any potential Finals series.</p>
<p>Specifically McClure records Rose's response on Twitter. When asked about whether he was tempted to try and play against <span>Kevin Durant</span>, <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and company, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/vxmcclure23/status/186157146172424192" target="_blank">Rose replied</a>, "I'm not tempted at all. I'm worried about my health right now." Rose injured his groin recently and this will be his tenth game that he's missed in total. </p>
<p>The Bulls are still dominating the competition, however, with seven wins in their last nine games. It's clear that Rose is a superstar, but it's also clear that the Bulls are a great team without him. The Thunder will still have a difficult game on their hands, even if it's not the match-up everyone was hoping for. </p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/3/31/2916646/thunder-vs-bulls-derrick-rose-injuryMatt Conner