CHICAGO, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Elton Brand scored 13 of his 22 points in the first half during his return to Chicago Wednesday night and the Los Angeles Clippers cruised to a 110-102 exhibition victory over the Bulls.
Brand played his first two seasons with the Bulls and averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. The 1999 top overall pick was thought to be the cornerstone of Chicago's rebuilding project but was traded to Los Angeles in a draft day deal.
The presence of Brand has the Clippers thinking playoffs. The Bulls have started over with 7-foot teenagers Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler, the latter of whom was acquired for Brand.
Curry scored 11 points while Chandler was held scoreless as he fouled out in 13 minutes. Neither played started and both had trouble on defense.
Brand's big first half helped Los Angeles open a 63-50 lead. The Clippers (3-2) held on as Darius Miles scored 20 points and Jeff McInnis added 16. Versatile forward Lamar Odom did not play for Los Angeles, which shot 49 percent.
Brad Miller scored 16 points and Fred Hoiberg added 15 for the Bulls (2-3), who shot 45 percent.
