Chicago: It was easy in the end. It was so comfortable, that Chicago Bulls rested all their top players in the fourth quarter in a 118-101 win over Indiana Pacers in the NBA here on Saturday. Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Jimmy Butler all had the best seats at United Center - on the bench - for the final 12 minutes as coach Fred Hoiberg’s decision to give some playing time to youngsters did nothing to alter the result that had been carved in stone. Subs contributed 58 points.
The home team led 62-41 at the break on the way to their second win on the trot. At one stage, they enjoyed a 29-point advantage. Doug McDermott was the top scorer for the Bulls with 29 points. Butler had 18 points and Wade 14. Both were out on the court well under half-an-hour. Having lost to Brooklyn Nets 94-103 on Friday, the Pacers ran on empty most of the time. They had beaten Dallas Mavericks 130-121 in their season opener.
Rondo, who won the championship with Boston Celtics in 2008, dismantled the Pacers defence with his sublime creativity. After a below-par performance against the Celtics on Thursday, the point guard stepped up his game to a different level with 13 assists in 25 minutes.
Every team is as good as its playmaker. The way Rondo set up Butler for a dunk with a nonchalant overhead pass in the second quarter took the breath away. Coach Hoiberg saluted Rondo. “Rajon has really been committed to getting the ball forward,” he said. Chicago can look ahead to a fine season, if not a triumphant one, as their new signings, Wade and Rondo, have settled down seamlessly. In Butler, the Bulls have an all-rounder who can be trusted to stand up in crunch moments.
Meanwhile, the news wasn’t good for Chicago at the ballpark as the Cubs lost to Cleveland Indians 2-7 in the fourth game of the baseball World Series here. They train 1-3 in the best-of-the-seven series.
Three Indians in D League draft
Three Indian players, Palpreet Singh, Amjyot Singh and Amritpal Singh, are in the pool for the D League draft. Palpreet made his name in the NBA talent hunt while the next two have been India regulars. The D League is a feeder series for the NBA.
