SAN ANTONIO — Nikola Vučević had 24 factors and 16 rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls overcame a career-high 30 factors from Tre Jones to rally for a 122-116 victory Saturday over the San Antonio Spurs, who sat Victor Wembanyama.
The Bulls closed the sport with an 8-1 run to win for the fourth time in 5 video games. Vučević’s second 3-pointer of the sport put the Bulls forward 120-116 with 32 seconds remaining.
“It always feels good to hit a big shot at the end of the game,” Vučević mentioned. “I was really happy I made a shot, but I was more happy I helped us win a game. We came up with a big, big win for us on the road.”
Wembanyama didn’t play the second recreation of a back-to-back. The Spurs proceed to proceed cautiously with the No. 1 choose following a sprained ankle he suffered Dec. 23 in Dallas. Coach Gregg Popovich mentioned Wembanyama must be reevaluated inside two weeks, however he won’t play each video games of a back-to-back Jan. 19 in Charlotte, N.C., and Jan. 20 in Washington.
Ayo Dosunmu added 21 factors and DeMar DeRozan 20 for the Bulls (19-22).
Keldon Johnson had 26 factors because the Spurs’ two-game successful streak ended. Jones added 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
Devin Vassell, the Spurs’ second-leading scorer, struggled offensively as Wembanyama watched in a turtleneck from the bench. Vassell completed with 5 factors on 1-for-13 capturing.
Jones stepped up with 4 3-pointers, all within the first half. Jones, who entered 16-for-68 on 3-pointers this season, completed 4 for six on 3s.
“Shots were open, and I took them and made them,” Jones mentioned. “It wasn’t anything specific. They were playing off of me a lot. Obviously, they know I like to pass and get my teammates involved. So, I was just trying to take my shot when it was there, make them respect it and play out of that. My shot was feeling good and going in, so that’s always a good feeling.”
The Spurs went on a 12-0 run punctuated by Blake Wesley’s one-handed slam that reduce the Bulls’ result in 90-88 with two minutes remaining within the third quarter. Johnson hit a pair of 3-pointers within the last minute of the third to tie the sport at 94.
The Spurs opened an eight-point lead within the fourth quarter however missed seven of their final eight pictures.
“This is the fifth game in a row where they’ve played like this and played well enough to win a game,” Popovich mentioned. “Starting with (two close losses against) Milwaukee then Cleveland and the two wins and tonight. We are showing more consistency. Down the stretch, experienced guys probably feel a little more comfortable shooting those 3s, but we had the same ones. Eventually, they’ll fall.”
The Bulls closed the primary quarter on a 16-5 run in taking a 13-point lead. The Spurs are 2-26 this season when trailing by double digits.
“I feel like we’re getting better,” Bulls coach Donovan mentioned. “I really do. I think we are playing stylistically how I’d like to see us play, how I think the game should be played. We’re sharing the ball. We’re trying to generate shots. We’re scoring more points.”
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