FIBA Basketball

    Gasol takes his scoring to new heights

    CHICAGO (NBA) - The windy city and all of Spain is still buzzing about the highest scoring game of Pau Gasol's illustrious career on Saturday night. The 34-year-old, who signed with Chicago as a free agent

    CHICAGO (NBA) - The windy city and all of Spain is still buzzing about the highest scoring game of Pau Gasol's illustrious career on Saturday night.

    The 34-year-old, who signed with Chicago as a free agent after last season, torched the Milwaukee Bucks for 46 points to lead the Bulls to a 95-87 triumph.

    Gasol was 17 of 30 from the field and 12 of 13 at the free-throw line.

    The Bucks had no answer for him.

    ...

    What made Gasol's night even more impressive was that he also corralled 18 rebounds.

    It was the first time a player had finished with at least 46 points and 18 boards since 2011, when Kevin Durant had 47 and 18.

    The last time a Bull had at least that many points and rebounds? 

    In 1990, Michael Jordan scored 69 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a victory over Cleveland.

    The way Gasol spoke about his big game after suggests he is not enamored with the feat.

    "I don't usually like guys having that amount of points because it takes away the rhythm of the other players," he said. 

    "I'm all about balance and the team game. But I'm glad we were able to work it out and win."

    Gasol, who endured one of the biggest disappointments of his Spain career several months ago when France beat his national team in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, is pulling out all stops to help the Bulls contend for an NBA crown.

    His coach, Tom Thibodeau, isn't surprised that Gasol is having a monster year and turning in performances like Saturday's.

    "Right after he signed with us, he was looking forward to double sessions with the Spanish (national) team," Thibodeau said to the Chicago Tribune. 

    "There are not many guys who are like that. At this stage in his career, and as accomplished as he is, he was eager to go.

    "That got him in great shape and I think he was in a really good place mentally. He came in and had a great training camp. 

    "He works incredibly hard. He understands what it takes."

    Gasol and his teammates were third in the Eastern Conference after their victory over the Bucks.

    The bottom line?

    As long as the Bulls win, Gasol doesn't care about how many points he scores.

    FIBA