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Bulls Game No. 29: Pau Gasol scores 23 against Kobe-less Lakers, Bulls win fifth straight

By Michael Whitlow

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93. 20. 113. 24. Final

After winning two NBA titles for the league’s most popular franchise, Pau Gasol played against his former squad — minus their legendary leader — and led his new squad to a Christmas Day victory in Chicago.

Pau Gasol was a soon-to-be Basketball Hall of Famer even before his arrival in the Windy City to play for the Chicago Bulls this season.

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In his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, the two-time NBA champ scored over 15,000 points and pulled down over 4,000 rebounds and was elected to the NBA All-Star Game three times.

Now, the 34-year-old Spainard is enjoying arguably his best season ever in a new location.

Gasol scored 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting and pulled down 13 rebounds in a 113-93 victory for the Bulls over the Lakers on Christmas night, with Kobe Bryant simply as a spectator.

"“It’s weird. Obviously, it’s an emotional game because you find yourself on the opposite side of the team that you played for for so many years and we’ve been through so much.”-Pau Gasol on playing against his former team, ESPN.com"

Bryant sat out his second straight game for Los Angeles on Thursday night in Chicago, due to concerns of fatigue in his remarkable 19th season in the NBA.

"“It’s extremely difficult, especially playing here, playing on Christmas Day and playing in this city. I love playing here. The fans have always been great. There’s always a lot of energy in the building. At the same time, I’ve just got to try to be smart. It’s really going against my nature, but I’ve got to be smart about this.”-Kobe Bryant on sitting out vs. the Bulls on Christmas, ESPNLA.com"

After a rough start — despite a 27-23 lead after a quarter — on the glass, the Bulls pounded the Lakers (9-20) through the final three quarters and finished at a +18 for the night (57-39).

Gasol also led the Bulls with 13 rebounds on the night.

Following Gasol’s lead, the dynamic backcourt of Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler each logged 20-point games again, while the up-and-coming Nikola Mirotic, chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds off the Bulls bench.

(Side note: Props to @H00PINATI for this wonderful twist on fan-fave Nikola Mirotic‘s name. Nicely done.)

(A 7-footer who can run the floor well, shoot from anywhere on the floor, dribble and is simply fun to watch? She might be on to something there.)

Aaron Brooks also contributed 13 points for his fifth straight game in double figures off the bench for Chicago.

Also playing against his former team, Carlos Boozer scored 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting and pulled down five rebounds on Thursday night in his return to Chicago.

Thoughts + what’s next for the Bulls

Merry “Bulls”mas, Chicago.

Since the start of December, the Bulls are 8-2, winners of five straight and on a tear through their end-of-the-year slate.

Oh, and to make things better for the Bulls, Derrick Rose is doing ridiculous things to opponents again:

Between Rose’s game coming back to him, Jimmy Butler‘s rising stardom — and nightly consistency and Gasol finding the Fountain of Youth, the Bulls are becoming scarier by the game.

Plus, the Bulls are starting to develop depth that some title contenders don’t possess.

Mirotic and Brooks are both provided a needed offensive pop off the bench and Taj Gibson continues to produce on both ends for the second unit.

Game Notes:

  • Dating back to November 24th vs. Utah, the Bulls haven’t scored 100+ in just three games. They’re 11-4 in that span.
  • In his last five games, Nikola Mirotic has scored at least 13 points in four of those games, while shooting 13-for-19(!) from long range.
  • Pau Gasol in the month of December is averaging a double-double of 16.3 points per game, while pulling down 12.0 rebounds per game.

The Bulls (20-9) look to continue their winning ways on Saturday night against the league’s hottest commodity, Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans (14-14).

Tip-off from the United Center is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT.

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Next: Bulls Game No. 28: Derrick Rose outduels John Wall, Bulls beat Wiz

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