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Hinrich comes up big off the bench as Bulls gore Bucks

Feb 19, 2009 - 5:56 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Kirk Hinrich scored 31 points off the bench to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 113-104 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

Hinrich scored 18 of his points in the fourth quarter as the Bulls overcame an eight-point third-quarter deficit.

The Bucks were within 89-86 with just under seven minutes to play when Hinrich gave the momentum back to the Bulls.

Hinrich stole the ball from Bucks guard Ramon Sessions and went in for a layup. After another Milwaukee turnover, Hinrich buried a 3-pointer to make it 94-86 and another jumper to make it a 10-point game and Chicago took over from there.

"I just wanted to come out and be aggressive," Hinrich said. "I felt I got in a bit of rhythm and whole team played with a sense of urgency and most importantly we were able to get the stops we needed."

"Hinrich had a great game. The real factor in his game was his defense," Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles said. "He took our guards and made us look pretty silly on several occasions because he was playing so hard and we were so casual. We could see three minutes into the game that we didn't have the intensity we had last night or the past few games. Tonight we were pretty uninspired and got exactly what we deserved."

Luol Deng added 21 points while Ben Gordon and rookie Derrick Rose each added 18 for the Bulls.

Richard Jefferson scored 32 points for the Bucks, who were opening a three-game homestand.

Jefferson tied his season high in scoring and Charlie Villanueva added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

"Anytime Chicago plays against coach Skiles they're a little more involved," Jefferson said. "After the trade they were probably playing real relaxed with nothing to lose and we just couldn't get it done tonight. We normally have more energy. We played hard, but we just didn't play smart."

Milwaukee was playing without injured starters Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut and Luke Ridnour, while Chicago was shorthanded as well.

Chicago acquired center Brad Miller and forward John Salmons from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for four players, key reserves Andres Nocioni and Drew Gooden as well as Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons.

"It's tough. You become friends with those guys and become very close," Deng said. "It's sad that we're not working together anymore, but at the same time you have to understand you have to get the job done when things happen."

Deng scored 16 points and Gordon and Hinrich each had 10 in the first half for the Bulls.

Jefferson and Villanueva each had 10 points to help the Bucks take a 51-49 lead at the half.

"They were just making shots," Villanueva said. "Hinrich played well coming off the bench and they just wanted it more than us. They came out with a lot of energy and we couldn't match it. They came ready to play and we didn't answer the call."