*Gordon helps Bulls rout Sonics*
By Bruce Levine PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Ben Gordon had 27 points, six assists and five rebounds as the Chicago Bulls had their biggest first half of the season and routed the Seattle SuperSonics, 123-96, on Tuesday night.
Luol Deng scored 20 points for Chicago, which finished the last eight minutes of the second quarter on a 27-14 run en route to a 67-49 lead at intermission and never looked back.
Joe Smith scored a season-high 19 points for the Bulls, who continued to pour it on in the second half on their way to their fifth win in their last seven games.
"We needed a game like this," Smith said. "It seems like we have been in a dogfight every night. With a game (Wednesday night), it's good to get the guys some rest."
Chicago built its lead to 27 points at 91-64 on a 3-pointer by Kirk Hinrich with 3:14 left in third quarter. But it started off as a back-and-forth contest.
"It wasn't a defensive gem by either team," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said. "We got loosened up early and shot the ball well, it was clear that we were going to have a good night offensively."
The teams were tied at 25-25 with 2:30 to play in the first quarter. Led by Gordon, Chicago then finished the period on a 6-2 run to lead 31-27.
"It was a good night for us offensively," Gordon said. "Our spacing was good and all of our guys played an unselfish game. We needed a game like this."
Sonics forward Nick Collison made a layup with 8:37 to play in the second quarter to bring Seattle back within five at 40-35. The Bulls then went on a 11-0 spurt over the next 1:52 to put the game away.
"During that stretch, we didn't defend," Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "Give the Bulls credit, they moved the ball all night and their shots were falling. Joe Smith was unbelievable in the post for them."
Rookie phenom Kevin Durant scored 16 points in 24 minutes for the Sonics, who have lost three of their last five contests.
"The Bulls just hit some big-time shots," Durant said. "We gave them open looks all night and they didn't miss them."
