Jo Sticks It to Philly, Luol Regains Groove

I've got a few friends who love nothing more than to stick it to Philadelphia sports teams whenever possible.  Most of the time, it has little do with the actual players.  It's the fans that rub people the wrong way.  Remember, these are the same folks that pelted Santa Claus with snowballs back in the '60s.  So it wasn't just the fact that the Bulls won 96-89 tonight at the Wells Fargo Center that satisfied some people.  More like who had the best game.

Joakim Noah doesn't have fond memories of Philly.  It's where his sprained ankle in last year's playoffs broke the final straw in the Bulls' backs.  The 76ers fans actually had the nerve to cheer this unfortunate event.  Other fan bases would applaud him as he left, but no, not in the City of "Brotherly Love".  They love seeing opposing players in pain.  Blood is the very reason the exist.  Due to all of this, Noah decided to lead the Bulls with 21 points and hit some big buckets that put the Sixers away.  Early in the game, he showed off his pistol routine to the expected boos of the Philly faithful.  Just one more city in a long list that will surely continue to grow as his career goes on.  Sorry, but these people asked for it.  You do something to anger Joakim Noah, he's likely to go Jordan on you.

Luol Deng had the game he needed after a disappointment last night.  It's rare for him to disappear in consecutive games and that trend continued tonight.  He registered a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds.  He'll have games when he doesn't produce, hurting his team.  In the NBA, you need a short memory, especially if you're highly thought of.  Deng answered the call just as he was expected to.  So did Marco Belinelli and Nate Robinson, the makeshift starting backcourt that combined for 30 points.  Sadly, Carlos Boozer took on Deng's role from last night after coming up huge in said game.  He had just five points and three of those came from the free throw line.

The Bulls have continued to play hard and have left the last five games feeling satisfactory (at least most of their fans), even if one of them was a close defeat.  It's why this team currently finds itself ahead in the Central.  As long as Tom Thibodeau continues to have his guys properly prepared every night, they'll be in a good position once Derrick Rose returns.  Don't forget, Rip Hamilton and Kirk Hinrich haven't exactly been able to help much or at all, depending on who you look at.

After a couple of days rest, the rechristened Brooklyn Nets come to the United Center for the first time.  This is a team that doesn't mess around.  The Bulls will know that even before they take the floor.  Can they send Jay-Z's club away empty?  Let's watch and find out.