DENG INSPIRES BULLS AT O2
LONDON-raised Luol Deng enjoyed the perfect homecoming last night as his Chicago Bulls edged out the Utah Jazz in a thrilling finale to their NBA pre-season game at the O2 Arena. Deng, the Team GB star, finished joint top scorer with 18 points and added five assists to help the Bulls to a 102-101 victory in front of a crowd of 18,689. Rookie James Johnson was the other Chicago hero after clinching the win with a dramatic, buzzer-beating basket. The NBA could now play regular matches in London from as early as next season as the sport looks to widen its appeal ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.