Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images

Bulls' Comeback Effort Falls Short in 120-112 Loss to Nets

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net
By Alejandro Delgado | Last updated Nov 2, 2024 12:44 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls have been rally kings this week, notching 20-point comeback victories Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies and Wednesday against the Orlando Magic. So when the Bulls trailed by 17 points Friday against the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago — now expectedly — stormed back and even took a fourth-quarter lead but ran out of gas in a 120-112 loss.

Thanks to Cam Thomas's heroic 32-point performance and Ben Simmons flirting with a triple-double, the Bulls were taken out of their comfort zone and forced to play in the half-court.

This half-court play wasn't an issue for a player like Nikola Vucevic, who can find his offense down low. Vucevic finished the game with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists while shooting an extremely efficient 90.9% from the field.

From @BullsPR: Nikola Vučević joins Nikola Jokić and Larry Bird as the only players in NBA history with at least 25 pts/10 reb/3 ast/1 stl/1 blk on .900 FG% and .750 3FG% in a game.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 2, 2024

Nikola Vucevic is the hottest thing in Brooklyn since a hipster cheeseburger.

pic.twitter.com/zclXb6Pf8z
— Bulls On Tap (@BullsOnTap) November 2, 2024

Beyond Vucevic, Coby White and Zach LaVine were the only other Bulls who made big contributions in the scoring column by shooting a combined 10/18 from three-point range.

Josh Giddey’s hot streak from the three-point line came to an end as he missed all four of his attempts. Although the Bulls collectively shot 38.6% from behind the arc, they didn't have enough players positively contribute to arguably the team’s most important stat column.

This pass @CHSN__ | @joshgiddey pic.twitter.com/AyNlmBa8Ef
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 1, 2024

Despite cold shooting, the Bulls put up a fight all the way to the fourth quarter. There were 10 lead changes and eight ties throughout the game, but the Bulls couldn’t find an answer to Thomas’s 10-point emergence in the final quarter.

Cam Thomas from the PARKING LOT

Finished with 32 PTS in the @BrooklynNets win at home! pic.twitter.com/2spDX4WJfQ
— NBA (@NBA) November 2, 2024

It's clear the Bulls’ offense is what keeps them in games, but their defense will propel them to win games.

What's On Tap Next?

The Bulls return home Monday to face the struggling Utah Jazz. Chicago seeks to surge back above .500, a feat achieved Wednesday but erased with Friday's loss to the Nets. Monday's tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. CT and the game will air on Chicago Sports Network (CHSN).

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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