Game Recap: Bulls get back on track in win over Hornets |
Dustin Riese
· · 2 hours ago
CHARLOTTE - It took long enough, eight games to be exact, but the Chicago Bulls (10-14) were finally able to put an end to their season-long seven-game losing streak. It came on the heels of one of their two schedule additions, after they were eliminated from the NBA Cup, as the Bulls headed out East to the Spectrum Center, where the Charlotte Hornets (7-18) were waiting.
Already with one loss against the Hornets as part of this rough stretch of games, it was the Hornets once again taking it to the Bulls as they held the lead most of the night. That was until the fourth quarter when the balanced offensive attack of the Bulls continued to shoulder the load en route to a 40-point quarter as the Bulls capped off an important come-from-behind win to take down the Hornets 129-126. As has been the case more often than not when the Bulls have been at their best, it was all about balance as seven players scored in double figures for Chicago. That included all five starters, which hasn't been something you could say during this stretch as the Bulls finally looked like the Bulls of early in this one. As is the case more often than not when these teams get together, Charlotte opened with energy at home, pushing the pace and attacking the rim to build an early lead. Led by Josh Giddey, who led Chicago with 26 points and 11 assists, the Bulls matched the Hornets by repeatedly getting downhill and to the line, leading to a high-scoring first period that saw Chicago hold a 33-29 lead after one. It was in the second quarter when the Hornets began to take over, as their offense continued to do the work while their defense clamped down, holding the Bulls to 22 points. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges fueled that surge as the Hornets battled back to take the lead. Bridges had a massive night with 32 points and dished out seven assists as the Bulls were down six at the break. In what was nearly a carbon copy of the first quarter, both teams came out on fire to begin the second half, combining for 65 points in that quarter. It was the hot shooting of rookie sensation Kon Knueppel that was setting the tone for the Hornets, as he connected for five triples as part of his game-high 33 points. Charlotte managed to stretch their lead a bit at the start of the quarter, but once the Bulls' defense tightened up, its offense began to chip away, and it battled back. Coby White (20 points) answered with a driving layup, while Isaac Okoro scored on multiple attacks as he made his return to the lineup with 15 points. Matas Buzelis added a layup as the Bulls kept it within one or two possessions, with the Hornets holding a narrow three-point lead after three quarters. Early in the season, fourth-quarter deficits were never an issue for the Bulls, but it's been during this seven-game losing streak that even the smallest deficit seems insurmountable. Whether it was the Bulls' starting five that continued to pace the offense or the presence of Patrick Williams and Zach Collins off the bench with 16 points each, Chicago refused to back down as they continued to take the Hornets' best punches and roll with them. Within striking distance late, the Hornets' offense picked the worst time to cool off, while several mid-range jumpers from Okoro and Giddey saw the Bulls take the lead 101-99. The back-and-forth affair continued throughout the fourth quarter as both teams took the lead and gained control, only for the other team to battle back with the answers. Following a pair of buckets from Tre Jones and Giddey to push the Bulls' lead back up to five, Bridges took it upon himself to will the Hornets back as he scored his team's next five points to make this a 126-124 game. That was as close as the Hornets would get, as White iced the game from the free-throw line late to secure the Bulls' first win in over two weeks, 129-126. With the win, Chicago can breathe a sigh of relief, as things have been tough for this team. Chicago will be back in action on Sunday as they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to the United Center.
