The NBA: Obama and the Bulls

Chicago Bulls Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose
joke around with Pres. Barack Obama in this file photo.
(image by Pete Souza/White House)

Tuesday night was big for the city of Chicago.

The Bulls bounced back from a freak loss to the New Orleans Hornets by trouncing the erstwhile undefeated, and overachieving mind you, Orlando Magic.

A few hours after that, Barack Obama, one of Chicago’s favorite sons (though born in Hawaii, the President worked, taught, and currently has his private residence in Chicago), won another four years in the White House.

Both the Bulls and Obama were engaged in tight contests.

The Bulls had their hands full with the Magic, who, despite losing in the Dwight Howard summer sweepstakes, have started the season on fire. Glen Davis was norming 25.5ppg prior to this game, while guys like JJ Redick and Nikola Vucevic were contributing beyond expectation. Orlando actually led for the better part of this encounter, but a big run late in the third period erased the Magic’s lead and paved the way for a rousing Chicago win.

''We just found a way,'' Chicago center Joakim Noah said. ''We fought hard at the end.”

Davis shot just 7-of-22 from the floor before fouling out in the final frame, but Arron Afflalo picked up the slack with 28 markers for Orlando. E’Twaun Moore also did well with 17 points for the visitors.

The Bulls, meanwhile, continued to enjoy career numbers from Noah, who scattered 20 points, 9 boards, and 5 blocks. Luol Deng also sparked the impressive play of the home squad, scoring 23 points to go along with 8 caroms. Diminutive playmaker Nate Robinson stepped up, too, recording 11 markers and 6 dimes off the pine.

Deng actually had this to say about Robinson, ''I thought Nate did a good job of looking for his shot and running the plays we were calling.''

This win bumped the Bulls up to 3-1, which is good enough for solo second behind undefeated Milwaukee in the Central Division.

Obama’s win, however, bumped him back into the Oval Office. Many political pundits foresaw a tight presidential race, though Obama was still favored over the conservative (is there any other kind?) Republican bet, Mitt Romney.

Romney got the jump on Obama when early returns poured in, but the President’s key wins in the swing states (the Ohio victory eventually clinched it for the incumbent) enabled him to earn four more years to offer “change” in America. Like the Bulls, Obama made a late run and ended strong for the victory.

The question, though, for both the Bulls and Obama, is this: can they sustain the momentum and continue winning?

Can the Bulls continue winning even without Derrick Rose? Can Obama continue winning people over despite some of his promises not yet reaching fruition?

Tuesday night was big for the city of Chicago, but how many more “Tuesday nights” do the Bulls and Obama have in them?

Note: The Bulls have a tough schedule ahead, with OKC, Minnesota, and Boston all coming in before they go on a 5-game road trip. On election day, Barack Obama played alongside Chicago Bull legendScottie Pippen in a pick-up game with friends. This pick-up game has been an election day tradition for the President. Aside from giving him an avenue to unwind, playing on election day is something he has always correlated with good fortune (read: winning the election).

Game Recaps (courtesy of the Sports Network):

Chicago 99, Orlando 93

Luol Deng poured in 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds on Tuesday, as the Chicago Bulls handed the Orlando Magic their first loss of the season with a 99-93 triumph at United Center. Joakim Noah filled the stat sheet with 20 points, nine boards, five blocks and four assists, while Taj Gibson and Carlos Boozer donated 12 points apiece for the Bulls, who were coming off an 89-82 loss to New Orleans on Saturday. Arron Afflalo scored a game-high 28 points to led the way for the Magic, who were without point guard Jameer Nelson, who is out with a hamstring injury, and forward Hedo Turkoglu, who broke his left hand in the season-opener on Friday. Glen Davis and Nikola Vucevic each registered a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the setback.

Joakim Noah continued his stellar play for Chicago.
(image by Gary Dineen/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City 108, Toronto 88

Russell Westbrook had 19 points and eight assists to pace a balanced Oklahoma City scoring attack as the Thunder rolled to a 108-88 victory over the Toronto Raptors at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Serge Ibaka tallied a season-best 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting to help the defending Western Conference champion Thunder bounce back from Sunday's 104-95 home loss to Atlanta and improve to 2-2. Kevin Durant and Kevin Martin each contributed 15 points to the win. Jonas Valanciunas was a bright spot on an otherwise miserable night for the Raptors, with the rookie center notching a career-high 18 points while knocking down 6-of-8 field goal attempts. Andrea Bargani added 16 points for Toronto, which has now dropped three of four to begin the season, but hit just 5-of-14 shots.

Russell Westbrook led a balanced attack as
the Thunder evened their slate at 2-2.
(image by Layne Murdoch/Getty Images)

Denver 109, Detroit 97

Andre Iguodala scored a team-high 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets earned their first win of the season with a 109-97 triumph over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday at Pepsi Center. JaVale McGee scored 16 points off the bench, Ty Lawson added 15 points and nine assists and Kenneth Faried netted 15 points to go with eight rebounds for the Nuggets, who avoided starting 0-4 for the first time since the lockout-shortened 1999 season. Kosta Koufos and Corey Brewer contributed 14 and 11 points, respectively in the victory. Greg Monroe dropped in a game-high 27 points and grabbed 10 boards, while Rodney Stuckey added 17 points in the setback for the Pistons, who are 0-4 for the second time in the last three seasons.