The Bulls fall to Nets 118-109: 10 Observations from the Loss
The Chicago Bulls suffered their fourth consecutive loss and their seventh in eight games as the Brooklyn Nets emerged victorious with a final score of 118-109 at Barclays Center on Sunday night.
Nikola Vucevic expressed the team’s disappointment, stating, “It is tough when you’re 5-13. It’s not what we expected. But it’s the reality of it and we have to face it. The only way out of it is we stick together and try to find a way to turn it around. It’s not going to be easy. Our schedule doesn’t get any easier either ahead of us. But we just have to find a way. We put ourselves in this position and we’re the only ones who can get us out of it.”
Here are 10 observations from the game:
– The Bulls won the first quarter for just the fifth time in 18 games and overcame their recent habit of falling behind by double digits. They opened with a 7-0 run and extended it to 30-9, including an 8-of-10 start from 3-point range.
– Coach Billy Donovan highlighted the need for more force and physicality from the team, particularly in dealing with slow starts.
– Alex Caruso missed the game due to a toe injury, and Patrick Williams made significant contributions, scoring 11 points in the first quarter without missing a shot.
– The Bulls fell into poor defensive habits, allowing the Nets to erase a 21-point deficit with a 27-5 run in the second quarter.
– Coby White set a franchise record as the first player to make four or more 3-pointers in five straight games.
– The Nets surpassed the Bulls’ opponent-season-high for 3-pointers with their 21st, ultimately setting a new franchise record of 25 made 3-pointers.
– Communication breakdowns and defensive lapses led to the Bulls allowing many open 3-point attempts.
– The team struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 4-for-22 after a hot start.
– The Bulls were unable to contain the Nets’ small lineup, and Royce O’Neal and Lonnie Walker IV each sank six 3-pointers.
– DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 27 points, and White finished with 23 points and five 3-pointers.
Despite the string of defeats, Zach LaVine remains hopeful, saying, “Guys are professional here. We have high spirits. Obviously everybody is frustrated because we’re losing. But we support each other. We’re in the gym working every day, encouraging one another, trying to keep spirits high. You just have to get through it. Nobody is going to help us do it. We understand that.”
The Bulls will need to regroup and find a way to turn their season around as they continue to face challenges ahead.