Bulls gore Spurs in 42-point rout

Game Flow

CHICAGO -- Chicago's 111-69 victory Wednesday had the Bulls yawning and the San Antonio Spurs running for cover.

"Is it over yet? As long as it's over, I'm OK," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "With the injuries that we have, obviously we're not much competition for them right now."

Scottie Pippen tries to slap the ball away from Cory Alexander.

The Spurs have played most of the season without David Robinson, Charles Smith and Chuck Person. Dominique Wilkins and Sean Elliott, San Antonio's leading scorers this season, are also injured.

"It was a good scrimmage game for us," Bulls forward Scottie Pippen said. "We knew they were short-handed and we did what we had to do to win it.

"I don't think they should feel embarrassed. Everyone knows that all their key players are injured."

Chicago did not miss forward Dennis Rodman, who leads the league in rebounding and suspensions. He served a one-game suspension Wednesday for hitting Milwaukee forward Joe Wolf in the groin and has sat out 14 games over three separate suspensions this season.

"You won't believe this, but I was looking forward to Dennis playing tonight," said Popovich, who traded Rodman to the Bulls for Will Perdue two season ago. "I know we have a bad history, but he has a good sense of humor. I'm sure we would have communicated in one way, shape or form."

The Bulls had another take on the Rodman situation.

"If he ever had one game he'd want to miss, this was the one," Pippen said. "Dennis has said he's bored with basketball at times. He definitely would have been bored with this one."

Pippen led the Bulls with 19 points and Michael Jordan added 16 points for the Bulls, who shot just 41 percent from the field.

"This game was one of those you see that makes you wonder if we set the game back," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. "Not much to be gained out of the game tonight, for either side. We had a dismal shooting night. I thought we played to the level of our competition."

"It's a danger to be lulled to sleep in a game like this, to do crazy things and put your body at risk," Jordan said. "When I feel that way, I'd rather sit back and watch. Let's get this thing over with."

The Spurs set team records for futility with their 69 points and 30.6 shooting percentage.

Monty Williamsscored 19 points and Jamie Feick added 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Spurs, whose previous low was 71 against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 11, 1995.

"We were playing again the best team on the planet," Williams said. "You saw what happened."

Jud Buechlerscored 12 points and Dickey Simpkins and Jason Caffey had 11 apiece for the Bulls. Luc Longley and Caffey had 10 rebounds each.