Bulls, Pacers meet at Conseco Fieldhouse

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02/27/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls will try to stop a two-game slide when they close out a three-game road trip tonight against the Central Division- rival Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Bulls have lost the first two tests of the trip and four straight away from the Windy City. They fell to 10-20 as the guest this season following Monday's 102-94 setback to the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Ben Gordon scored 25 points for the Bulls, losers of five of their last seven games overall. Drew Gooden had 17 points and eight boards, while Larry Hughes scored 14 points in a losing cause.

Thabo Sefolosha and Luol Deng added 10 points apiece for Chicago. Deng is probable for Wednesday's game with a sore left Achilles.

Indiana will close out a short two-game homestand on Wednesday, and is 11-17 at Conseco Fieldhouse this season. It opened the stand with a 102-98 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Monday, as Danny Granger and Marquis Daniels scored 20 points apiece to lead Indiana.

The Pacers, who fell for the fifth time in the last six games, are 3-12 over their previous 15 contests.

Chicago and Indiana are playing the third of four matchups this season on Wednesday. Both teams split the first two meetings, while the Bulls have won five of seven and six of the last nine encounters with the Pacers.

Chicago has lost three of four, 17 of 19 and 18 of its last 21 trips to Conseco Fieldhouse.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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