01-15-2020, 05:23 AM
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Taj Gibson enjoyed coming home for the holidays. Gibson, a Brooklyn native, scored 20 points and Jimmy Butler added 15 to help the Chicago Bulls rout the Nets 95-78 on Wednesday. "It was stressful," said the 28-year-old, who grew up minutes from Barclays Center. "I did a toy drive and I was tired, but it was great to see my family." Gibson led a balanced offence with six players in double figures for Chicago, which was buoyed by the return of guards Kirk Hinrich and Butler. With the Bulls trailing 50-49 early in the third quarter, Butler took over, keying a 21-5 run that gave Chicago control. Butler, who sat out the last game with a right ankle injury, started the burst with a 3-pointer and added a three-point play that made it 57-52. That was the first of 12 straight points by the Bulls. Another three-point play by Butler made it 66-52. "Coming out of halftime was a focus for us," Hinrich said. Chicago (11-16) led by 19 at the end of the period after Reggie Evans dunk with less than a second left ended a 5 1/2-minute field goal drought for the Nets (9-19). Brooklyn couldnt get much closer in the fourth and was serenaded with a chorus of loud boos from the fans. "They cheer when things are good and they let you know when things arent going good," Nets coach Jason Kidd said. "They expect good and they expect it 90 per cent of the time, but right now we are 90 per cent bad and so they have every right to boo and express how they feel." What once was viewed as a Christmas Day showdown between Eastern Conference contenders became a matchup of two of the NBAs biggest disappointments so far, as both teams have been plagued by injuries. Deron Williams scored 18 points and Mizra Teletovic added 17 for the Nets, who have lost four straight. "Im surprised at this season, how its played out altogether," Williams said. "Its like a nightmare the way the injuries have been, the things we talk about every day, the lack of effort, the lack of energy." The victory was Chicagos second straight, the first time since five consecutive wins from Nov. 8-18 that the Bulls had two in a row. Chicago is starting to get healthy with the return Hinrich and Butler, both of whom started. Hinrich spurred a 12-0 run midway through the second quarter that gave Chicago a 39-31 lead. Williams then scored seven straight to make it a one-point game. Chicago led 41-38 at the half before Butler took over. "Its good to get guys back," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Our starters were very solid and our bench guys did a great job. Taj was super." The Bulls were still missing Luol Deng (Achilles) and Derrick Rose, who is sidelined for the season with a right knee injury. Brooklyn has its own injury issues with centre Brook Lopez lost for the season Friday to a broken right foot. "We talk about it a lot. Were really trying to figure out what it is. Its tough," Teletovic said of the Nets struggles. "A lot of NBA teams arent going to give you anything easy. You really have to concentrate and bring a lot of energy to win the game." The two clubs were wearing their Christmas short-sleeve jerseys that look straight out of a rec league game. Instead of numbers and a team name on the front, there was a big shiny logo. There are numbers on the sleeves, while the backs look more like a normal NBA jersey. Both squads were also wearing striped socks to complete the outfit. Notes: The Nets were still missing Andrei Kirilenko, who has been sidelined this season with a back injury. Kidd said before the game that his forward is making progress. ... Kidds always loved playing on Christmas. "One of the biggest honours as a player and coach is to participate on Christmas," he said. "The world is watching so you can showcase your talent." ... These two teams met in the first round of the playoffs last season and the Bulls won in seven games. ... Chicago has won eight of the last 10 regular-season meetings. Tom Chambers Jersey . Price was hurt at the start of Wednesdays practice after facing just one shot as the team worked on their power play. He left the ice in discomfort and appeared to be favouring his leg. A Habs source told TSNs John Lu that Price suffered the injury in Sochi and not before the Olympics. Mike Bantom Jersey . 1 overall pick in the draft by the Houston Texans, is recovering from sports hernia surgery. https://www.cheapsunsonline.com/1089z-ty...-suns.html . -- Josh Smith made a 3-pointer as time expired and finished with 20 points to lift the Detroit Pistons to a 99-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night in both teams exhibition finale. Grant Hill Jersey . In mens doubles, Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil and American Jack Sock reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Croatian Mate Pavic and Andre Sa of Brazil. Boris Diaw Jersey . -- Ricky Romeros comeback bid hit another road bump Tuesday in an ugly 18-4 Jays loss to a Detroit Tigers split squad.BOUCHERVILLE, Que. -- Gary Bettman has vehemently denied the NHL is considering expansion. But the commissioner said if it ever does, prospective owners may have to pay up big time. Sports Business News reported via Twitter last week the NHL will expand into Las Vegas, Seattle, and Quebec City while adding a second franchise in Toronto by 2017. On Wednesday, Bettman called the report a "complete fabrication," and took issue with the franchise fees cited in the story -- US$1.4 billion, or $350 million per team. "The part of the story that I found particularly difficult is: suggesting that we would sell four franchises for $1.4 billion is way too low," Bettman said. "It undervalues our franchises." The last two expansion teams, the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets, paid $80 million each in expansion fees in 2000, but league revenues have soared since then. Bettman said the league is not looking to expand or relocate any franchises. He added that no teams were looking to move, including the struggling Florida Panthers -- even if their new owner has concerns about the clubs arena lease. "Nobodys moving," said Bettman. "And speculation to the contrary not only is wrong, its unfair to the team and their fans who are being speculated about. "Our franchises have never been healthier. Our league, in terms of its economic footing, has never been healthier." He made the remarks at an event put on by a media company, Quebecor, that hopes to bring NHL hockey back to Quebec City. Quebecor bought naming rights on a $400 million arena due to be completed by fall 2015 in Quebec City, which hopes to land an NHL club. Bettman was at a suburban restaurant along with former prime minister Brian Mulroney, who is chairman of Quebecor, Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League president Gilles Courteau and other league and company officials. However, Bettman had no encouraging words for those looking to revive the Quebec Nordiques, who left in 1994 to become the Colorado Avalanche. &quuot;We dont want to build up anybodys expectations," he said.dddddddddddd "Were not in a position to expand. "Were certainly not in position to expand into the East. Weve been very candid and up front that if in fact we go through an expansion process, the world will know about it. But were not looking to relocate any franchises, and were not looking to expand. Weve been very clear about that since Day One when we were told about the building of the new arena." Still, rumours that the league is at least considering adding teams have been circulating. A report from Vancouver last week said a team in Las Vegas was a "done deal." Bettman said theres plenty of interest from people wanting NHL expansion teams but added the league hasnt even begun to research the issue. In June, Bettman said that if there were enough expansion candidates the leagues board of governors "may well invoke a formal expansion process and we will look at everything." Mulroney had no comment on Quebec Citys expansion prospects. During the news conference, the former Conservative prime minister joked that he was a "right winger" when he played as a boy in Baie-Comeau, Que., and told a story about how his father discouraged him from trying to become a pro player because there was no money in hockey. "If he was alive today, Id take him by the hand and say: Let me introduce you to P.K. Subban," he said. The Montreal Canadiens defenceman signed a $72 million, eight-year contract on Aug. 2. Bettman said the league is close to naming a successor to Brendan Shanahan as disciplinarian and head of player safety. Shanahan stepped down in April and was replaced on an interim basis by Stephane Quintal. "Were getting to the short strokes of that process," said Bettman. "Weve interviewed a lot of candidates, including somebody whos been doing it on an interim basis, and we will be making a decision shortly. "We wanted to finish the process. By the start of the season, well have an announcement." ' ' '