CHICAGO - The Chicago Bulls return to the hardwood tonight as they host the Detroit Pistons in a Central Division tilt at the United Center. chicago went 1-and-5 on its recent road trip and has dropped five in-a-row. They are coming off a 99-97 loss to Milwaukee in their last contest on Monday.
The Bulls, who are 6-and-9 on the season, clash with Cleveland on Friday and wrap up this week's play on Saturday at home versus Toronto.
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Lakers make it seven straight...Allen on target in Celts romp.
UNDATED - The Los Angeles Lakers still haven't lost since Pau Gasol made his season debut.
The Lakers have a seven-game winning streak after Andrew Bynum scored 21 points and Kobe Bryant added 18 in a 110-99 downing of New Orleans. Gasol delivered 14 points in his sixth game since returning from a hamstring injury.
Ron Artest provided 16 points for the Lakers, who snuck ahead of Phoenix atop the NBA's Western Conference standings.
- Denver set season highs for points in a half and a game, building a 69-55 lead at intermission before completing a 135-107 blowout against Golden State. Carmelo Anthony put in 25 points and Chauncey Billups added 22 as the Nuggets bouncee back from Sunday's loss to the lowly Timberwolves.
- Michael Beasley scored a season-best 27 points and Miami led from wire to wire in a 107-100 victory at Portland. The Trail Blazers dropped their third in a row despite Greg Oden's 13 points and season-high 20 rebounds.
- Ray Allen shot 5-for-6 from three-point range and poured in 27 points to lead Boston's fifth straigth win, a 108-90 pounding of Charlotte. Kendrick Perkins added 21 and 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who shot nearly 55 percent in ending the Bobcats' four-game winning streak.
- The Knicks gave head coach Mike D'Antoni a victory against his former team. Danilo Gallinari had 27 points and 10 rebounds as New York blasted Phoenix 129-99. David Lee dropped in 24 points and Al Harrington added 22 to help the Knicks halt a five-game skid.
- Washington used a balanced attack to knock off Toronto 106-102. Antawn Jamison led the way with 30 points and 12 rebounds, Gilbert Arenas chipped in 22 points and nine assists while Caron Butler added 19 points to the Wizards' third win in four games.
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GM Vandeweghe to coach Nets...A.I. may be headed back to Philly.
UNDATED - The New Jersey Nets have formally announced general manager Kiki Vandeweghe will coach the team through the end of the NBA season, beginning with Friday's game. That means he won't be on the bench Wednesday when the Nets try to avoid becoming the first team in NBA history to begin a season 0-and-18.
Assistant Tom Barrise will coach the team in Dallas after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers last Sunday. He became nterim coach when Lawrence Frank was dismissed last weekend.
- Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers are closer to a reunion. A person with knowledge of the contract talks tells The Associated Press the Sixers have offered a one-year, non-guaranteed contract to Iverson.
