Ben Gordon’s slow start to the season didn’t faze him, though his laid-back nature wouldn’t have revealed much anyway.
“I figured it was growing pains,” the Bulls guard said in his typical nonchalant way. “Every level of basketball I’ve played, I’ve always struggled in the beginning until I figure things out. I’m starting to get more comfortable.”
Gordon got nice and cozy in the Bulls’ 99-88 victory over Minnesota on Saturday, scoring a career-high 31 points, including 10 in a 12-2 fourth-quarter run after the Timberwolves had pulled within one.
Except for an ill-advised last-second basket that angered Minnesota, Gordon had a perfect night that included 4-for-4 from three-point range. He’s shooting 46.3 percent from that distance in his 11 games.
Gordon even unveiled a lefty runner in the lane that he and coach Scott Skiles said the 6-foot-2-inch rookie guard practices frequently.
“Playing in this league with all these trees, you need a shot that they can’t get to,” Gordon said.
Layups
The Bulls’ bench outscored Minnesota’s 51-39, continuing a season-long trend. Bulls reserves have scored more than 50 points three times and are averaging 40.4 points to their opponents’ 28.1. “Our bench has been good all year, no matter who’s started,” Skiles said. … Yes, that was Skiles praising Eddy Curry’s defense on Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett after Saturday’s victory. Skiles said Curry’s defensive positioning has been much more consistent this season. … The Bulls took Sunday off, a rarity for the day before a game.
