The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Chicago Bulls 116-109 yesterday at the Staples Center. The Bulls start off their annual circus trip 0-1 once again.

The Bulls’ biggest problem in the game was their front court. Drew Gooden, Joakim Noah, and Tyrus Thomas, once again did not have great games on the offensive end, but not only that, the Lakers front court destroyed them on the other end. Pau Gasol scored 34 points and Andrew Bynum scored 18 points.

Ben Gordon had another cold shooting night. Gordon finished the game with 23 points (6-22 FG 8-8 FT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. The good thing though is that Gordon’s bad games are no longer those 4 point, 1-15 FG games, and are more in line with the bad games of other star players.

Gordon and Deng were effective on defense all night. The Bulls started the game by having Luol Deng guard Kobe Bryant. Bryant finished the game with 21 points. The Bulls did a good job of slowing Bryant down.

Derrick Rose was a really bright spot for the Bulls. Rose finished with 25 points and 9 assists. Rose just looked great out there and continues to compound the evidence of why he will be this year’s rookie of the year.

While losing is never fun, fan’s have to keep in mind that these games are part of the circus trip and we always do horribly on this. A win against the best team in the league on the circus trip would be extremely unlikely.

The Bulls next game is tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers.