The Chicago Bulls couldn’t fend off a second-half scoring flurry from the reigning champs Saturday, dropping a 123-101 blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The Bulls are actually 2-5 to start out the season as they sink right into a two-game dropping skid.
Here are six takeaways from Saturday’s loss.
1. There as properly balanced scoring and assists within the first half.
The first half was a template for a way the Bulls can create offensive success.
The Bulls solely took eight 2-pointers from outdoors the paint — six of which got here from midrange specialist DeMar DeRozan. This fashion of offense allowed each participant to attain not less than one basket. Only three makes within the half had been unassisted.
They shot a decrease quantity of 3-pointers, however went 6-for-16 from behind the arc with improved taking pictures accuracy. And regardless of lacking seven pictures on the rim, the Bulls led 53-51 heading into the locker room.
2. A 3rd-quarter implosion by the Bulls.
The Nuggets opened the second half on a 24-4 run. DeMar DeRozan provided the Bulls’ solely baskets to interrupt up the scoring frenzy, which was fueled by second-chance alternatives and slashing layups.
The disparity between the 2 groups within the quarter was stark. The Nuggets shot 3-for-8 from 3-point vary whereas the Bulls went 0-for-4. Denver went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line, whereas the Bulls took solely three free throws.
The Bulls managed to chop the deficit again all the way down to 10 factors by the tip of the quarter, however the harm was already finished.
3. Alex Caruso was sidelined after obvious arm damage.
Alex Caruso began Saturday’s recreation together with his typical reckless abandon — however a breakaway dunk within the second quarter may need sparked his first damage concern of the yr.
Torrey Craig snagged a steal, then slung a move forward to Caruso the place he had leaked out towards the opposing basket. The Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon tried to trace down the following shot for a block, however as an alternative collided with the smaller guard midair when Caruso threw down a dunk.
Caruso crashed to the bottom, trying to brace himself together with his proper arm — a well-recognized sight that introduced again the reminiscence of the collision with Grayson Allen in 2022 that resulted in a fractured proper wrist. Despite visibly wincing after the play, Caruso stayed within the recreation for an additional minute, displaying discomfort when he tried a block two performs later.
Caruso wore a warmth pack on his proper arm on the bench within the second half. He performed 4 minutes within the second half — logging one shot try and one turnover — earlier than he was pulled.
Injuries have been the primary hindrance of Caruso’s profession, sidelining him for half of his first season in Chicago. This will likely be a significant concern for the Bulls if they’re pressured to play any sizable period of time with out their defensive cornerstone.
4. Solid protection on Nikola Jokić — to start out.
The Bulls have usually guarded Nuggets star Nikola Jokíc properly and that development appeared to proceed within the first half. Jokić managed solely 11 factors and three assists — a comparatively low quantity for a participant averaging over 27 factors per recreation to start out the season.
But that didn’t final lengthy for the Bulls. Jokić tallied 13 factors and three assists within the third quarter to gas the Nuggets as they overwhelmed the Bulls, ending with 28 factors, 9 assists and 16 rebounds.
5. Jevon Carter brings an offensive activate bench.
After logging his first double-digit efficiency in a Bulls jersey on Friday, Jevon Carter continued his scorching taking pictures in Denver.
Carter went 4-for-5 from 3-point vary off the bench, supplying 16 factors whereas taking pictures on the most correct clip of your complete roster. The remainder of the Bulls went 3-for-21 from 3-point vary in a low quantity, lackluster taking pictures night time.
6. Patrick Williams continues to battle with 3-point taking pictures.
After being pulled from the beginning rotation Friday, Patrick Williams offered a barely extra constant efficiency within the secondary rotation.
He earned his second journey to the free-throw line of the season within the second quarter, making each pictures. And within the second half, Williams scored back-to-back baskets off decisive takes to the rim, together with a thunderous dunk off a reduce.
But Williams nonetheless can’t discover his shot.
He completed 0-for-5 from 3-point vary in his fourth recreation of the season with out a make from behind the arc. Williams is now 4-for-24 (16.7%) from 3-point vary by seven video games.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com