Brand’s Return to Chicago Is Grand

Elton Brand returned to Chicago and scored 22 points Wednesday night to lead the Clippers to a 110-102 victory over the Bulls in an exhibition game at the United Center.

Darius Miles added 18 points and Jeff McInnis 16 for the Clippers, who won their second in a row after losing their first two exhibitions. Brand made eight of 11 shots and had seven rebounds in 27 minutes in his first game in Chicago since being traded from the Bulls for Tyson Chandler, the second overall pick in the June draft.

“Coming back, it’s definitely weird. If [Michael Jordan] has to come back, it makes me feel better,” Brand said. “How many games did I win with the Bulls, 30? He won 400-something.”

Chandler, from Compton Dominguez High, scored two points in 13 minutes before fouling out for the Bulls (2-2), who were led by Brad Miller’s 16. Rookie Eddy Curry scored 11.

Brand was greeted with applause by most fans, although one person held up a crudely made “Elton Who?” sign.

Chicago led by eight in the first quarter, but a 35-10 run gave the Clippers a 58-41 lead late in the half.

“I’m really happy with our defense, particularly in the second quarter,” Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said. “We had a pretty good flow going. I played some of the young guys down the stretch. We’re starting to play a little bit better.”

Fred Hoiberg hit a three-pointer to get the Bulls as close as 106-102 with 45 seconds left.

But the Clippers held on for their second exhibition victory in as many nights. They defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 105-91, in a neutral-site game Tuesday in St. Louis.

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The Clippers’ Michael Olowokandi added 11 points, but fouled out with 8:42 left in the third quarter. Olowokandi was ejected from Tuesday’s game.... Lamar Odom did not play because of flu-like symptoms.... Chicago native Quentin Richardson, who played at DePaul, had 117 family members and friends among the 15,286 in attendance at the United Center. Corey Maggette, also from the Chicago area, had 30 family and friends in attendance.... The Clippers’ five-game trip continues with an exhibition Friday against Dallas.... The Bulls face the Clippers at Staples Center on Nov. 14 and again in Chicago on March 8.