The Chicago Bulls misplaced for the fifth time within the final six video games Wednesday, this time a 124-110 blowout on the street in opposition to a New Orleans Pelicans crew enjoying with out Zion Williamson.
Here are seven takeaways from the sport, which dropped the Bulls to eleventh within the Eastern Conference with a 6-9 report.
1. The Bulls gave up a double-digit lead within the third quarter regardless of sturdy begins out of halftime all season.
Entering Wednesday, the Bulls had been the second-best crew within the league within the third quarter with a median +3.3 differential over their opponents within the interval. But the Pelicans flipped the script, beginning the interval on a 9-0 run and successfully ended the sport with a lopsided 37-25 third quarter.
DeMar DeRozan scored 10 factors on 5-for-6 taking pictures within the quarter because the lone supply of offensive rhythm. The remainder of the crew went 6-for-20 from the sphere. Meanwhile, the Pelicans shot 6-for-11 from 3-point vary alone. CJ McCollum scored 9 factors within the third quarter whereas Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III and Jonas Valančiūnas added 5 factors apiece.
2. Nikola Vučević’s lack of scoring highlights the Bulls’ lack of ability to capitalize within the paint.
The Bulls had a transparent benefit within the paint with Williamson out. The Bulls ought to have been set to push their offense via Vučević, however that plan fell flat as Vučević and energy ahead Patrick Williams remained tentative within the matchup.
Vučević scored 12 factors within the first half however managed solely two within the second, fading fully within the third quarter because the Pelicans roared to their double-digit lead. Six of Vučević’s factors got here off 3-pointers.
The Bulls marginally outscored the Pelicans 48-46 within the paint, however didn’t handle to reap the benefits of clear personnel mismatches.
3. The bench unit led by Zach LaVine continues to present a lift between the primary and second quarters.
One of the strongest components of the Bulls offense this season is a secondary unit — a bench group that features Alex Caruso, Goran Dragić and Andre Drummond and led by Zach LaVine.
After giving up an early five-point lead in yet one more sluggish opening from the starters, LaVine led the secondary unit on a 15-2 run between the top of the primary quarter and into the center of the second to take a 37-32 lead. This “bridge” unit between the 2 quarters typically has been decisive in loads of video games this season, permitting the Bulls to comprise the deficit inside single digits heading into halftime.
4. The Bulls nonetheless battle to counter 3-pointers.
The 3-point line stays a weak level for the Bulls, who gave up 51 factors from behind the arc Wednesday. The Pelicans aren’t a very prolific 3-point taking pictures crew — ranked twenty second within the league in made 3-pointers (11.1) regardless of taking pictures a fifth-best 38.7% — however they joined a rising checklist of groups to capitalize on the Bulls’ lack of close-out strain.
Six totally different Pelicans gamers made two or extra 3-pointers Wednesday, however it was Murphy who scorched the Bulls by going 5-for-6 from behind the arc.
The Bulls have the second-worst 3-point protection within the league, permitting opponents to shoot at a 37% clip. And they’ll’t counter on the opposing finish, taking pictures a good 11-for-32 from behind the arc Wednesday that couldn’t preserve tempo with the Pelicans.
5. Ayo Dosunmu is combating a taking pictures droop after a robust begin from 3-point vary.
Dosunmu confirmed off a sped-up shot that appeared improved his numbers on 3-pointers, coming into this week taking pictures 40.1% (18-for-44) from behind the arc. But Dosunmu is now in a slight droop, going 0-for-7 between Sunday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets and Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans.
Off nights are anticipated for any participant, and Dosunmu’s most necessary position on this Bulls roster is commanding the offense. His psychological response to this dry spell can be key — he appeared to hesitate earlier than taking a number of photographs Wednesday, incomes some audible teaching from Billy Donovan after Dosunmu balked at a 3-point shot and was referred to as for touring.
6. LaVine is again on his bounce, however his taking pictures accuracy remains to be hit-or-miss.
LaVine’s buoyant athleticism appears to be returning after he missed a number of video games within the opening weeks of the season whereas recovering from a left knee damage. But the guard nonetheless isn’t totally again to himself regardless of a handful of explosive dunks and drives via the paint in opposition to the Pelicans.
LaVine’s 3-point taking pictures is essentially the most obtrusive absence in his sport. He went 4-for-11 from behind the arc in opposition to the Pelicans, producing most of his 25 factors across the rim.
7. The Bulls are on a three-game shedding streak.
The Bulls are actually on a three-game shedding streak as they sink additional within the Eastern Conference standings. This is the primary time this season they’ve strung collectively three of the identical outcomes — wins or losses — in a row.
The Bulls face a younger, shaky Orlando Magic crew Friday, which may present a robust alternative to snap the skid, however then face powerful matchups in opposition to the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com