The 12 months ended the identical method for the Chicago Bulls because it started: holding their breath, ready for a shot to fall.
DeMar DeRozan rang in 2022 with a little bit of magic, sinking a one-legged 3-pointer in Indianapolis to beat the buzzer for a win in opposition to the Pacers on New Year’s Eve. But DeRozan couldn’t rustle up the identical heroics Saturday in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Bulls compelled a Cavaliers jump-ball turnover with 5.8 seconds remaining as Alex Caruso and Nikola Vučević smothered a last-second shot try by Donovan Mitchell, inserting the ball within the staff’s most dependable palms to take the potential game-winner. The Cavaliers threw a double staff at DeRozan, who pulled up for his signature midrange jumper to take one other crack at a New Year’s Eve haymaker.
But not like final 12 months’s crisp arc by means of the online, this 12 months’s shot bounced barely off the mark, rattling throughout the rim because the Bulls fell 103-102 on the United Center.
The highs
- Javonte Green carried the Bulls offense within the first half with 12 factors, netting the one Bulls 3-pointer of the half and slamming down a thunderous one-handed dunk. Green threw himself into the enamel of the Cavaliers protection, incomes the primary 5 free throws of the evening for the Bulls. He didn’t rating within the second half.
- After consecutive video games with a 40-point efficiency from DeRozan and Zach LaVine, respectively, the Bulls had a extra well-rounded offense in opposition to the Cavaliers. Six gamers scored 11 factors or extra: DeRozan had 21, LaVine 15 and Ayo Dosunmu 19.
The lows
- The Bulls have been utterly outmatched in secondary alternatives, coughing up 25 second-chance factors whereas scoring solely two. Despite outrebounding the Cavaliers 25-24 within the first half, the Bulls gave up 15 rebounds within the third quarter as they misplaced the battle of the boards on each ends of the courtroom. Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers with 4 offensive rebounds.
- The Cavaliers lead the league in defensive ranking (108.6) however got here into Chicago on a three-game dropping streak after giving up 125 factors or extra of their final two losses. After per week of explosive offense, the Bulls managed solely 102 factors in opposition to the Cavaliers and gave up 16 factors on 15 turnovers.
- After trailing by as many as 14 factors, the Bulls marched again to pressure their nineteenth clutch end — any sport with a margin of 5 or fewer factors within the remaining 5 minutes. The Bulls have been on a 7-4 run in these conditions after an 0-7 begin to the season. But the ultimate shot didn’t fall this sport, dropping the Bulls to 7-12 within the class.
- Fresh off a season-high 43-point efficiency Friday in opposition to the Detroit Pistons, LaVine was quiet by means of his first half-hour. He scored solely eight factors within the first half and didn’t internet a single basket within the third quarter. LaVine lastly broke his scoreless stretch with 6:38 remaining within the sport, scoring seven straight factors to drag the Bulls inside three, however he didn’t ship within the remaining 5 minutes.
Stat of the sport
The Cavaliers gained the sport behind the 3-point arc — a well-known chorus for the Bulls, who take the fewest 3-pointers within the league. The Bulls have been outscored 39-21 behind the arc, whereas three Cavaliers made three or extra 3-pointers.
The Bulls made just one 3-pointer within the first half whereas the Cavaliers went 9-for-23 behind the arc. Dosunmu took benefit of a pair of open seems to go 2-for-2 within the third quarter, however the Bulls couldn’t ignite their long-range capturing.
Kevin Love led the Cavaliers with 5-for-11 capturing behind the arc.
Injury report
Goran Dragić was the one Bulls participant dominated out in opposition to the Cavaliers, sitting out the staff’s third sport in 4 nights for relaxation. Derrick Jones Jr. was cleared to return after lacking 5 video games with a left ankle sprain however didn’t play.
The Cavaliers have been lacking guard Darius Garland (proper thumb) and ahead Evan Mobley (proper ankle).
Where they stand
The Bulls fell to 16-20 and stay in tenth place within the Eastern Conference.
Up subsequent
The Bulls will journey to Cleveland for a rematch in opposition to the Cavaliers on Monday.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com