In the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls’ 128-104 win Monday, the San Antonio Spurs couldn’t preserve Andre Drummond off the rim.
The veteran middle crunched the ball by the ring thrice within the quarter. Each time he dangled off the steel — with one hand, with each, mouth open in a roar, lip curling right into a snarl — to punctuate a dominant night time by which he logged 21 factors and 15 rebounds.
Monday’s efficiency on the United Center was a welcome vindication for Drummond, who was a wholesome scratch in 5 of the earlier 11 video games as coach Billy Donovan struggled to suit the cumbersome middle into his rotations.
And it was a welcome contribution for the Bulls, who improved to 1 recreation beneath .500 with their third consecutive win.
The highs
- The Bulls struggled to maintain the Spurs at arm’s size by three quarters, permitting a 12-point result in slip away within the third. But they discovered their footing within the fourth to squash any hope of a comeback, outscoring the Spurs 38-19 within the quarter and main by 33 at one level.
- The dominant fourth allowed the Bulls to rotate of their youthful reserves within the ultimate three minutes, giving Dalen Terry and Tony Bradley Jr. cherished time on the courtroom. Terry closed the sport on an emphatic word with a hovering dunk for the Bulls’ ultimate factors.
- Coby White showcased an improved ability set on the defensive finish, making two steals and offering a disruptive presence all through the second half. White targeted on his protection and ballhandling within the offseason, and each have been on show Monday as he sparked the Bulls in transition with 4 assists.
The lows
- DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine suffered sluggish begins that contributed to the Bulls’ lack of ability to tug away. LaVine went scoreless for your complete second quarter and didn’t escape of the drought till lower than 4 minutes have been left within the third. DeRozan scored solely eight factors till the ultimate minutes of the third, when he got here alive to attain the ultimate 5 factors of the quarter and push the Bulls again forward 90-85. Both gamers helped spark the fourth-quarter surge, and LaVine completed with 20 factors and DeRozan with 19.
- The Bulls by no means discovered their shot from 3-point vary, going 6-for-22 (27.2%) behind the arc. This in the end didn’t have an effect on the consequence, nevertheless, as a result of the Spurs have been virtually as inaccurate, taking pictures 8-for-26 (30.8%) from 3-point vary.
The quote
On high of his scoring and rebounding, Drummond recorded a team-high three steals — certainly one of which got here off his signature transfer of floating within the backcourt and snagging an outlet cross to the perimeter.
Drummond has used this transfer to reap the benefits of lackadaisical outlet passes all through his profession. After the sport, he teased opponents for not selecting up on it.
“I don’t know how teams haven’t done the scouting report on that,” Drummond mentioned. “I’ve done that for 11 years, you can check the tapes. I’ve done that religiously. It’s something that I’m good at. I read the game, I know who has the ball, I know who’s going to make a lazy pass, so I just prepared myself for it.”
Stat of the sport
Two-thirds of the Bulls’ scoring benefit got here within the paint, the place they outscored the Spurs 74-58.
Injury report
Alex Caruso missed a second consecutive recreation due to a sore left foot suffered when he landed awkwardly in Thursday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets. Caruso was a game-time choice and warmed up with the crew.
Where they stand
The Bulls improved to 26-27 and remained ninth within the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind the Atlanta Hawks.
What comes subsequent
The Bulls head out on a three-game journey, enjoying the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. The three opponents have a 98-64 mixed file.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com