The Chicago Bulls got here inches from stealing a win of their NBA In-Season Tournament debut Friday evening on the United Center however couldn’t sink the tying shot in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets.
With a 109-107 loss, the Bulls should come from behind to regain their standing in East Group C. Here are 5 takeaways from the sport.
1. Bulls squander comeback alternative.
The Bulls got here from behind twice, solely to fumble their alternative for a win.
After falling behind by 10 factors within the second quarter, the Bulls went on a 12-0 run led by Zach LaVine to tie the sport with 5 minutes, 16 seconds left earlier than the half. They pulled forward by as many as 5 however lapsed within the ultimate minute to permit the Nets to take a 59-58 halftime lead.
The fourth quarter ended the identical manner. The Bulls tied the sport with 6:51 left, then spent the ultimate minutes buying and selling photographs with the Nets.
Trailing 109-106 with 4 second remaining, LaVine drew a foul executed an ideal last-ditch play: making the primary free throw, lacking the second and snagging the offensive rebound. But he couldn’t land the tying shot, launching a rushed turnaround jumper along with his foot on the 3-point line that clanked off the rim and into the arms of Day’Ron Sharpe.
2. Torrey Craig joins the beginning lineup.
Coach Billy Donovan made his first rotation change of the season, transferring Craig into the beginning lineup to interchange Patrick Williams. Craig has been a high-motor defensive anchor for the Bulls to begin the season, crashing the offensive boards with gusto and bringing a sharper edge to 3-point taking pictures.
His beginning debut wasn’t a statistical standout. Craig completed with three factors, six rebounds and 4 assists. But it was the defensive effort that annoyed Craig essentially the most.
“First quarter we gave up too many layups, too many easy baskets,” Craig stated. “We’ve got to have more resistance on the defensive end.”
3. Patrick Williams information season highs off the bench.
The transfer to the secondary rotation appeared to profit Williams, who completed with a season-high 10 factors and 5 rebounds regardless of enjoying 20 minutes, 53 seconds.
Williams clearly thrived in rotations with defensive gamers corresponding to Alex Caruso and Jevon Carter, who opened the sport up in transition for the ahead. Williams went coast-to-coast on a play within the third quarter, grabbing a defensive rebound after which pushing the tempo to attain a layup.
4. Bulls get sizzling — then chilly — from 3-point vary.
The Bulls appeared set to snap a streak of poor-shooting nights, going 9-for-17 from 3-point vary within the first half. But that shortly cooled. The offense opened the second half 0-for-9 from behind the arc.
Alex Caruso scored the primary 3-pointer of the second half for the Bulls with 6:51 left within the sport. But they nonetheless completed the sport 11-for-28 from 3-point vary, touchdown solely two 3s within the second half.
5. What does this imply for the match
The Bulls are 0-1 in East Group C, which incorporates the Nets, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic.
Each staff in Group C will play each other then the top-ranked staff will advance to the quarterfinals. In addition, the highest-ranked staff from one of many three East teams will advance as a wild-card staff.
The Bulls will play their subsequent group-stage sport Nov. 17 in opposition to the Orlando Magic.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com