So a lot for momentum.
After pulling off wins in opposition to the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks — the top-two groups within the Eastern Conference — earlier within the week, the Chicago Bulls fell to the Thunder 123-119 in additional time Friday night time in Oklahoma City.
The loss dropped the Bulls to 8-11 and twelfth place within the East with 4 video games remaining on their six-game journey.
Here are seven takeaways from the sport.
1. The Bulls compelled additional time however fell simply quick.
After overcoming an eight-point deficit within the second half, the Bulls pushed the Thunder to additional time and had an opportunity to tie or pull forward late with the ball within the arms of DeMar DeRozan.
With the Bulls trailing by two with 9 seconds remaining, DeRozan — who scored all 9 of the Bulls’ factors in additional time — lined up a signature midrange jumper. But DeRozan missed the potential tying shot, ending the Bulls’ two-game successful streak.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander practically delivered a haymaker to place the Thunder forward by three factors with 58.8 seconds remaining, however Lu Dort drew a goaltending name for hanging on the rim, negating the basket.
The groups traded photographs all through the closing minutes of additional time. The Thunder pulled forward to stick with 27.1 seconds remaining when Gilgeous-Alexander drew a foul on DeRozan with a canny shot faux from behind the arc, sinking all three ensuing free throws.
After DeRozan’s miss, Gilgeous-Alexander transformed two extra free throws with 4.9 seconds left to seal the Thunder victory. He completed with 30 factors.
2. The Bulls scored on their first 8 possessions for an explosive begin.
The Bulls jumped to a 19-7 lead after scoring on their first eight offensive possessions, spreading the scoring between all 5 starters. Nikola Vučević scored the opening layup; Patrick Williams sank a 3-pointer and scored off a coast-to-coast run; DeRozan warmed up his jumper for a pair of early baskets; and Ayo Dosunmu and Zach LaVine slashed to the rim within the opening possessions.
The streak lastly was damaged when DeRozan missed a 3-pointer on the 7:49 minute mark, however the environment friendly capturing continued because the beginning unit went 11-for-18 within the first quarter.
3. The Bulls bench struggled early, however the starters balanced it out.
The Bulls bench has bailed out the starters loads of occasions this season, rectifying the staff’s sample of gradual begins by serving to the Bulls return to competition by halftime. But the roles had been reversed in Oklahoma City.
The starters handed the sport to the secondary unit with a 21-14 lead on the 6:18 minute mark of the primary quarter, when Alex Caruso and Coby White entered the sport for LaVine and Dosunmu. The bench ended its shift halfway via the second quarter with the Bulls trailing 41-36 after permitting a 27-15 run. Reserves contributed a mixed 17 factors within the first half, seven of which got here from Caruso.
Bulls starters used a 10-point run to tie the sport at 59 heading into the locker room. But the hunch left the Bulls susceptible heading into the second half.
4. DeRozan and LaVine had a troublesome capturing night time however scored the majority of the Bulls’ factors.
Despite combining for 57 factors, DeRozan and LaVine suffered uncharacteristic poor capturing nights. DeRozan (30 factors) went 12-for-27 and missed his solely 3-point try whereas LaVine (27) completed 9-for-23, together with 4-for-11 on 3s.
The pair began effectively however cooled as the sport progressed. DeRozan went 2-for-8 within the third quarter because the Bulls offense stalled out to shoot 29% within the interval. LaVine was 0-for-3 from 3-point vary in additional time.
The Bulls know they’ll’t rely too closely on their star All-Star duo. Friday’s loss offered one other reminder that the offense can’t rely upon LaVine and DeRozan alone.
5. Patrick Williams seems to be gaining confidence.
Williams continued to make notable strides after a sluggish begin to the season.
Williams scored 11 factors on 4-for-7 capturing, made all three of his 3-pointers and added six rebounds. He continued to battle with sustaining offensive depth for the whole lot of a sport, going 1-for-4 within the second half. But Williams’ protection stood out most. He recorded a pair of blocks and locked in on key Thunder gamers, taking advantage of his matchups on an in any other case poor defensive night time for the Bulls.
Williams nonetheless hasn’t lived as much as the expectations of being the No. 4 choice within the 2020 draft, however his development as a defender and an offensive facilitator can be a key.
6. Goran Dragić struggled in his return.
Dragić, who exited Monday’s sport in opposition to the Celtics with a neck damage and sat out Wednesday in opposition to the Bucks, scored two factors in 11 minutes of the bench in opposition to the Thunder. Coach Billy Donovan described Dragić’s damage as a stinger, and it was clear the discomfort affected the veteran guard’s shot.
Dragić didn’t try a 3-pointer till halfway via the fourth quarter and completed 1-for-5 from the sphere. His poise on the ball remains to be a carry for the Bulls, however the staff will miss his capturing accuracy till he returns to full power.
7. The street for the Bulls solely will get harder from right here.
The Bulls on Friday missed a first-rate alternative to benefit from the one sub-.500 staff on the six-game journey, persevering with an odd sample of dropping to struggling opponents whereas defeating a few of the league’s finest. The Thunder improved to 8-11 with the win.
The Bulls head to Salt Lake City on Monday night time for a matchup in opposition to the Utah Jazz (12-9). They then journey to Phoenix on Wednesday to face the Suns, who at 12-6 are the highest staff within the West, earlier than heading to San Francisco on Friday to play the Golden State Warriors (10-10).
The Bulls shut the journey Dec. 4 in opposition to the Sacramento Kings (10-8), then return dwelling for a matchup in opposition to the Washington Wizards on Dec. 7.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com