MEMPHIS -- In the 1986-87 season, Michael Jordan averaged 37.1 points per game for the Bulls.
On Tuesday night at FedEx Forum, the Bulls trotted out a starting lineup that combined to average 35.3 points.
And while we're digging into the archives, the Bulls' 104-97 loss to the Grizzlies marked their eighth straight defeat and 11th straight time they've surrendered 100 or more points. The first hadn't happened since Jan. 4, 2006 and the latter since March 22, 1986.
Of course, when you start Acie Law, Jannero Pargo, Flip Murray, Taj Gibson and Brad Miller, visions of the non-competitive Tim Floyd era come to mind.
Instead, the Bulls delivered a scrappy and energetic performance that recalled the Dick Motta or Scott Skiles years.
Photo: Acie Law knifes to the basket. (Lance Murphey/AP)
Enough with history, this is the present: Luol Deng missed his third straight game with a strained right calf. Derrick Rose missed his second straight with a sprained left wrist. Joakim Noah missed his eighth straight with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
And Kirk Hinrich, for good measure, stayed at the team hotel to serve his one-game suspension for making contact with an official during Saturday's loss in Miami.
And here come the Mavericks, winners of 13 of 14 and idle since Saturday.
The Bulls actually jumped to a 22-11 lead and then, after falling behind by as many as 25, clawed to within 94-90 on Pargo's three-point play with 3 minutes, 39 seconds left.
But they failed to capitalize after forcing the Grizzlies into a 24-second violation and O.J. Mayo to miss a reverse layup. Miller clanked a wide-open 3-pointer and Pargo committed a turnover.
Zach Randolph, who tallied 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Marc Gasol-less Grizzlies, scored on a left hook with 2:09 left. After Pargo committed another turnover, Randolph powered home a fast-break layup with 1:51 to play.
A brutal second-quarter stretch doomed the Bulls. They failed to score on 10 straight possessions, committing three turnovers, and surrendered a 17-0 run.
Mayo's 24 points led Memphis. Murray's 25 led the Bulls.
As for Deng and Rose playing Wednesday, Del Negro said both will be gametime decisions. He also disputed the Bulls are being conservative with the injuries because of stiff competition until Saturday at Philadelphia.
"If guys were healthy, we'd put them out there," Del Negro said. "Both Derrick and Luol are feeling better but we can't afford any setbacks because we don't have enough games left. We want them back yesterday. But we also want to be smart about it."
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I guess we gotta c what 2morrow's game will look like,hopefully not the same mistakes tht were made tonight,and hopefully James will be back at start...
@christianH
You're missing the point jannero pargo committed 3 costly To's when the bulls cut the game to 4.VDN should of took him out after the back to back turnovers.You just cant be that careless in crunch time he single handedly took the bulls out the game because of it.Great run late in the game but come on wtf was pargo doing?? How is he even on an nba roster he sucks.
Wow I can't believe these comments. The Bulls started Pargo... because four of their regular starters were out. How this is del Negro's fault is beyond me. It's true that, say, the Lakers without Kobe are better than the Bulls with everyone. But the Lakers without Kobe, Gazol, Bynum and Artest would be in deep trouble too. Even with Phil Jackson as coach.
I hope they cut Pargo tonight and fire Vinny tomorrow. Pargo lost this game. Who he thought he was? Chris Paul?