An all-too-familiar scene emerged Monday night in the United Center. The Chicago Bulls faced off against a lesser opponent in terms of win-loss record, only to play embarrassing basketball mixed with COMPETITIVE runs that fell short of a win.
15 Straight Wizard Points
Jordan Poole and Corey Kispert combined to score 15 unanswered points for the Wizards from the opening tipoff in the first quarter. The Bulls did not get their first score of the game until the 8:23 minute mark of the first quarter, via a Coby White layup. Even worse, the Bulls didn't score in double-digits until the 4:23 minute mark of the first quarter, via another Coby White Layup.
Simply put, the Bulls played sloppy basketball offensively and defensively in the first half, shooting 17/44 (39%) from the field during the first half and never obtaining a game lead in the first two-quarters of the game.
Making a Game of It
The Bulls finally earned their first game lead at the 7:18 minute mark of the third quarter on an Ayo Dosunmu three-pointer.
Momentum for the Bulls was short-lived in the third quarter as the Wizards quickly regained the game lead on a Jordan Poole three-point make at the 5:54 minute mark of the third quarter.
Clutch Luck Runs Out
Going into the fourth quarter, the Bulls looked poised to work for another miraculous clutch-time victory, tied at 82 points to start the fourth quarter. Back-and-forth scoring between the Bulls and Wizards propelled the game into a formal clutch-time scenario with the Bulls at a five-point (93-98) deficit against the Wizards at the 5:00 minute mark of the fourth quarter.
Trademark DeMar DeRozan's fourth-quarter heroics put the Bulls within striking distance of a turnaround victory. DeRozan scored eight of the Bulls' final 12 points in the fourth quarter but missed a half-court three-point attempt that could have won the game for the Bulls if it was a made basket.
What's on Tap Next?
The Bulls are at home again Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers in the season's final matchup between the two teams. The Bulls are 2-1 in the 2023-2024 season series with the Pacers. Tip-off is at 7 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
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