The Chicago Bulls stayed streaky with a 111-100 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday on the United Center, their third consecutive victory bookending their Paris journey final week.
After a rocky begin to the season, the Bulls have climbed again to 2 video games underneath .500. With a three-game journey towards sub-.500 groups this week, they’re well-positioned to degree their document.
The highs
- Alex Caruso confirmed no indicators of jet lag as he catalyzed the Bulls offensively and defensively. He ripped a ball out of the intestine of a Hawks participant underneath the basket and smacked away a shot by Justin Holiday on the following play within the first quarter. In the second quarter he sank a 3-pointer, then stole a move on the following possession to throw down a transition dunk. But regardless of Caruso’s contributions on offense — 12 factors and two assists — his most essential work got here on the defensive finish. He handily gained his matchup with Hawks guard Trae Young, serving to to carry the All-Star level guard to 21 factors on 7-for-16 taking pictures and 0-for-5 from 3-point vary.
- Forward Patrick Williams sparked an 11-3 run to open the fourth quarter after the third quarter led to a 78-78 tie. Williams bounded after a ricocheting shot to slam down a put-back dunk, then accomplished a three-point play with a bodily drive to earn a basket and a foul. His offensive aggressiveness arrange his teammates, feeding heart Nikola Vučević (14 factors, 17 rebounds) a no-look dime for a one-handed slam. Williams completed with 18 factors, 10 rebounds and two assists.
- It was a historic evening for DeMar DeRozan, who performed in his 1,000th NBA sport. But for DeRozan, it was enterprise as standard. The All-Star ahead led the Bulls offense with 26 factors and 6 assists.
The lows
- The Bulls have been energetic from the leap, however they nonetheless performed with a little bit of rust on their photographs. They went 6-for-25 (24%) from the sphere and 1-for-9 from 3-point vary within the first quarter. Derrick Jones Jr. was the one Bull to make a number of subject targets within the opening quarter.
- Despite exiting the primary half with a reasonably comfy nine-point lead, the Bulls suffered an offensive meltdown within the third quarter — a typical theme of latest video games. The Hawks outscored them 30-21 within the quarter regardless of going 3-for-8 from 3-point vary.
Stat of the sport
Despite a sluggish begin for the Bulls offense, the Hawks by no means may pull forward due to shaky ball safety. They turned the ball over seven instances within the first quarter and 13 instances within the first half.
The Bulls pressured 18 turnovers total and had 13 steals — the third consecutive sport during which they tallied double-digit steals.
A grand evening
The Bulls commemorated DeRozan’s 1,000th sport with a spotlight video within the second quarter.
DeRozan, 33, accepted the honour with a mix of gratitude and sheepish humility, elevating a hand to the group whereas ducking his chin in laughter whereas Ayo Dosunmu patted him on the again.
“I don’t know how many tributes I’ve had in my career,” DeRozan mentioned after the sport. “At this level, I’m beginning to really feel like both I’m previous or folks really feel like I’m about to retire or one thing. It’s all the time cool to really feel appreciated on this sport. Some issues that I’ve completed, I nonetheless don’t consider. It’s nonetheless one thing new to me.
“I just feel old. I’m not, but …”
“Yeah, you are,” rookie Dalen Terry chirped from throughout the locker room. DeRozan shook his head.
“See?” he mentioned, gesturing on the 20-year-old. “That’s what I get.”
DeRozan tried to steer the dialog again into sometimes considerate territory: “It just puts things in perspective, just how long you’ve been around. My first game, Shaq was playing …”
“Damn!” This time, it was Patrick Williams — who went on to affirm that he was 8 when DeRozan made his NBA debut — who interrupted DeRozan.
“That’s what I’ve got to deal with,” DeRozan mentioned with one other shake of his head. “That’s why I laugh. But it’s fun.”
Injury report
Goran Dragić missed Monday’s sport with a non-COVID sickness.
Where they stand
The Bulls improved to 22-24 and stay tenth within the Eastern Conference.
Up subsequent
The Bulls hit the street for a three-game stretch, dealing with the Indiana Pacers (23-25) on Tuesday, the Charlotte Hornets (13-34) on Thursday and the Orlando Magic (18-29) on Saturday.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
