The Chicago Bulls got here from behind to beat the Brooklyn Nets, getting 20 fourth-quarter factors from Zach LaVine in a 108-99 victory Tuesday evening on the Barclays Middle in New York.
The win snapped a two-game skid because the Bulls (4-4) return dwelling to host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday evening on the United Middle.
Listed here are seven takeaways from Tuesday’s recreation.
1. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan exploded within the second half.
DeRozan has made a reputation for himself in fourth quarters. And whereas he had one other second-half capturing surge Tuesday, it was LaVine’s explosive fourth quarter that drove the Bulls comeback.
LaVine scored 20 of his 29 factors within the fourth, going 6 of 10 from the sector and draining a pair of heat-check 3-pointers from effectively behind the highest of the arc. His fourth-quarter effectivity was complemented by DeRozan, who shot 4 of 10 from the sector within the third quarter.
The Bulls went on a 12-4 run to shut the third quarter, reducing their deficit to 79-77, earlier than taking a 101-90 lead halfway via the fourth off a 16-2 run. The Nets imploded within the fourth quarter, and the Bulls took benefit to complete the sport on a 24-11 run.
LaVine’s 29 factors led the crew, and DeRozan completed with 20. Ayo Dosunmu added 17 factors after lacking Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers with stiffness in his neck and higher again.
2. The Bulls proceed to battle with 3-point protection.
The win confirmed how 3-pointers will make or break the Bulls this season. They’re the NBA’s worst crew at defending the 3-point line, permitting opponents to make 43.2% for 14.6 3-pointers per recreation.
The issue Tuesday wasn’t simply the clip at which the Nets have been capturing from behind the arc. The protection is permitting opponents to take too many 3s, particularly in transition. Permitting any opponent to take 18 photographs from behind the arc within the first half invitations a scorching streak that may fully upend a recreation.
This sample turns into unsustainable when paired with the Bulls’ incapability to supply 3-pointers at a excessive fee. They’re twenty fifth within the league in made 3-pointers (10.4 per recreation) regardless of rating thirteenth in accuracy (36.3%).
Tuesday’s win was a uncommon scorching evening for the Bulls from lengthy vary, as they completed 12 of 30. But when they will’t sustain that tempo on a nightly foundation, they’ll shortly be outpaced behind the arc.
3. Kevin Durant led the Nets because the Bulls fell behind within the first half once more.
The Bulls struggled to include Durant early, main to a different halftime deficit. Durant scored 14 factors within the first quarter, then added six extra within the second because the Nets led 58-52 on the break.
The deficit wasn’t as drastic as many the Bulls have confronted this season, but it surely nonetheless pressured them to return from behind. Durant quieted within the second half, scoring 12 factors to complete with 32 and fumbling a cross for a turnover on one of many Nets’ final possessions.
4. Goran Dragić’s 3-point capturing stored the Bulls afloat within the first half.
Dragić matched his season excessive with 12 first-half factors and completed with 15 — together with 4-for-6 capturing from 3-point vary — as he continues to supply a mandatory increase off the bench.
Dragić’s manufacturing was restricted within the second half after he took a tough elbow to the face from Nets ahead Nic Claxton throughout a transition drive to the rim.
5. LaVine performed the primary recreation of a back-to-back.
Tuesday marked the primary time this season LaVine began within the opener of back-to-back video games. Regardless of a optimistic streak of video games during which he stated his left knee “felt good,” LaVine stays restricted because the Bulls monitor his return after arthroscopic surgical procedure in the summertime.
Coach Billy Donovan beforehand stated LaVine wouldn’t play on back-to-back nights within the early weeks of the season. The Bulls are scheduled to play 4 units of back-to-backs within the first three weeks.
Nevertheless, Donovan didn’t rule out LaVine’s availability in opposition to the Hornets on Wednesday throughout a information convention with reporters in Brooklyn earlier than Tuesday’s recreation. If LaVine is cleared to play, it will sign one other step ahead in his return to full well being after lacking the primary two video games of the season.
6. Kyrie Irving was quiet on the courtroom.
Days after inciting backlash all through the league for selling antisemitic conspiracy theories on social media after which defending his place, Irving didn’t rating till the fourth quarter and completed with 4 factors on 2-of-12 capturing (0-for-6 on 3s).
The controversy surrounding the Nets star dominated the highlight earlier than the sport, drawing criticism from TNT hosts Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley in the course of the nationwide broadcast.
7. Coby White and Andre Drummond have been sidelined.
The Bulls have been lacking two of their most necessary sparks off the bench with White (left thigh bruise) and Drummond (left shoulder sprain) sidelined.
White took a knee to the left quadriceps throughout Saturday’s loss to the 76ers and was held out as a game-time determination. Drummond injured his shoulder in a tough fall throughout Friday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Neither harm is predicted to be long run, in accordance with Donovan.
The Bulls managed to outrebound the Nets 45-38 regardless of the absence of Drummond, who supplied 1 / 4 of the crew’s rebounds earlier than his harm.
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