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Bulls cruise as Spurs rest regulars

Oct 20, 2006 - 5:26 AM SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bulls have lots of young legs. The San Antonio Spurs are resting theirs.

Ben Gordon scored 13 of his 19 points in the first half as the Bulls raced to a 99-67 preseason victory over the Spurs, who limited the minutes of their key players.

San Antonio starters Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Bruce Bowen all played the entire first quarter and did not play again. Duncan scored 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and was the only Spur in double figures.

For the rest of the game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich played his reserves, using a total of 18 players, including 11 reserves for at least 10 minutes each. Rookie Rich Melzer collected seven points and three blocked shots.

The Bulls also went deep into their bench, which features athletic rookies Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha. Thomas had 11 points and seven rebounds and Sefolosha added 10 and five.

Gordon helped the Bulls open a 51-43 halftime lead. Chicago held San Antonio to eight points in the third quarter and just 24 after halftime, opening a 36-point lead in the final period.

Kirk Hinrich scored 10 points and Ben Wallace grabbed 10 rebounds for the Bulls, who held a 50-34 advantage on the boards. The Spurs shot 34 percent (24-of-71) and committed 25 turnovers.