All eyes were on Elton Brand.
Maybe some should have been on Michael Olowokandi and the other homecoming kid, Quentin Richardson.
In a game the Clippers desperately needed to keep their playoff hopes alive, Olowokandi scored a career-high 30 points with a game-high 16 rebounds and Richardson scored seven of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to hold off the Bulls 94-90 Friday night at the United Center.
Victory, which has eluded them six times in seven games, was within the Bulls’ grasp. But with the Bulls trailing 84-82 with 1 minute 42 seconds remaining, Jalen Rose’s pass to Eddy Curry was tipped by Olowokandi and then just grazed Curry’s fingers before going out of bounds.
Then came two calls–a touch foul by Trenton Hassell on Richardson and an offensive foul on Rose–that the Bulls vehemently protested.
By the time Richardson soared to score on a pretty finger roll with 1:07 remaining, the Bulls were forced to foul. Richardson’s final two free throws with 11 seconds left iced matters after Rose’s three-pointer with 12.8 seconds left had created some hope for the crowd of 20,359.
“I want the ball in my hands to carry the team to a win,” Richardson said.
Brand got his 38th double-double this season, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
“The Bulls were in the game until the end, just like we were last year,” Brand said. “But that’s the difference with the team I’m with now. We have lots of guys to step up.”
Hassell scored 21 points to tie Rose for team-high honors. Curry added 13 points and eight rebounds. Jamal Crawford ditched his knee brace and contributed six points, two assists and no turnovers in 18 minutes.
The Clippers shot 25 free throws to the Bulls’ season-low nine as Los Angeles committed only 10 fouls. In the fourth quarter the disparity was 19-2.
“Numbers don’t lie,” Rose said. “That’s a tough obstacle to overcome. But we also have to find a way to take care of the ball. When you’re not used to winning, everybody feels like, `It’s my turn to shoot.'”
The Bulls committed six fourth-quarter turnovers. When it ended, Rose took off his headband and fired it into the stands in frustration.
“It was a great homecoming for all the Chicagoland guys,” Brand said.
