Coming off a double-OT heavyweight fight 24 hours earlier, the Chicago Bulls leaned on one of their youngest set of legs.
Matas Buzelis got off to a hot start, opening up his scoring with a crafty drive on Jamal Murray. He used his size advantage to scoop the ball high over the head of the veteran guard, switching hands in the process and finishing the and-one. A few possessions later, he would drain back-to-back threes to jump-start a stunning first-quarter three-point shooting effort.
As the Bulls’ bench gradually checked in, they made it rain. Patrick Williams drained a triple before Dalen Terry sank only his second of the season. Jevon Carter was up next with back-to-back threes of his own. The Bulls shot a stunning 7-14 from behind the arc in the first quarter to grab a 30-28 lead on the Nuggets.
Also helping was the fact that Nikola Jokic shot an uncharacteristic 1-7 from the field in his first rotational run. While some of this can simply be chalked up to a cold start, the Bulls actually deserve some rare credit for their defense. Williams and Jalen Smith were bringing the physicality in the post, and the MVP looked a bit caught off guard.
The Bulls’ bench as a whole started the night outscoring the Nuggets’ second unit 28-4. Yes, bench scoring has been this team’s bread-and-butter all season long, but this is a deeper Denver team than in years past. The fact that they found this much success in the first half certainly came as a surprise.
What didn’t come as a surprise, however, was the trouble the Nuggets had with the Bulls’ pace. As we pointed out in this morning’s notes, one of the few advantages this Bulls team had was speed in the open floor. They used this quick decision-making and grab-and-go mentality to build a 10-0 lead in fastbreak points and eventually balloon their lead to a shocking 50-32. Their shooting from downtown also remained effective, as they eventually finished the first half with 12 makes from deep.
But would you believe me if I told you they still went into the midway break on the wrong side of the scoreboard? Yes, because it’s the Bulls? Oh …
As the Bulls grabbed their 18-point lead with 7 minutes to go in the quarter, the Nuggets looked completely unfazed. Leaning on their playmaking savant, they rattled off an 18-2 run to get right back in the game. Jokic scored or assisted on 23 of their final 30 points in the quarter. It was clockwork for the three-time MVP.
Chicago could have hung their head. They could have looked gassed. To this young group’s credit, however, they came out of the locker room with the same mentality that got them their big lead. After exchanging buckets for half of the frame, the Bulls’ offense was a +10 in the final 5:49 of the quarter. Once again, it was their tempo and sheer energy that seemed to give the Nuggets serious problems. This even led to a hard foul by a seemingly frustrated Tim Hardaway Jr. on a driving Patrick Williams, who was called for the flagrant 1. A brief scuffle unfolded.
Overall, the Bulls shot 56.0 percent in the quarter and 9-11 in the paint. Their offensive rhythm fed right into the speedy Ayo Dosunmu’s hands, and he finished the third by getting to the free throw line and securing the Bulls a 103-93 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.
That’s right, it was another game against a superstar where the Bulls led going into the fourth quarter. What could go wrong!
The Bulls did their best to throw away that game over the next several minutes. They repeatedly settled for long-range jumpers, starting the quarter a brutal 1-14 from three. Whether their shot selection was due to tired legs or simply poor decision-making, the Nuggets took full advantage. They forced Chicago into another clutch game (contests within 5 points in the 5 minutes) and eventually grabbed the 117-116 lead with a Jamal Murray layup with 2:19 left.
Josh Giddey ran right back down the floor and reclaimed the lead with a quick floater, only for Nikola Jokic to drain a ridiculous contested three over Nikola Vucevic. Was this the moment the Bulls would crater? Nope!
The Bulls FINALLY got a three to fall when Kevin Huerter drained a 28-footer to put the Bulls up 121-120. On the next possession, Nikola Vucevic came through huge with a deflected pass, which Ayo Dosunmu was able to corral and break free for the slam. Jokic answered with an easy finish in the paint, but Vucevic stepped up again. The veteran big man nailed a huge three at the top of the key to put the Bulls up 126-122 with 33.4 on the clock. From there, it was all about hitting your free throws to clinch the 130-127 victory.
So, in conclusion, the Bulls snapped their five-game losing streak by beating the 10-2 Nuggets one day after losing to the Jazz in double OT. Their bench also outscored Denver 66-9.
What an extremely bizarre 24 hours.
Player Grades
Ayo Dosunmu – AStats: 21 PTS, 5 AST, 3 REB
The Chicago Bulls desperately needed someone to be the adult in the room tonight, and that’s the role Ayo Dosunmu played. He finished as a +25 and shot 8-9 from the field. Not only was a big part of setting the tempo early on that gave the Nuggets fits, but he came up huge with a crunch-time dunk and drained both free throws with the game on the line.
Jevon Carter – A-Stats: 15 PTS, 4 REB
Well, how about them apples! Jevon Carter played like a diamond in the rough tonight. With Coby White and Tre Jones sidelined, he filled their shoes perfectly. The guard’s quick-trigger jumper helped Chicago gain control early on, and he ended the night 5-10 from deep.
Nikola Vucevic – BStats: 8 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST
This may seem like a surprising grade considering the stat line, but Nikola Vucevic was just as much a part of that win as anyone. Without his deflection, kick out to Kevin Huerter, and clutch three in the final seconds, the Bulls may be on a six-game losing streak right now. Also, let’s be honest, he had the toughest assignment of the night.
Jalen Smith – A-Stats: 16 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL
When Jalen Smith was in the game, you felt it. He was surprisingly physical with Nikola Jokic and made the most of his more mobile skillset on the offensive end. The big man was a true +15 tonight, and you also have to tip your cap to him for checking back in after what looked like a tough shoulder injury.
Josh Giddey – B+Stats: 21 PTS, 14 REB, 6 AST
The starting unit really struggled early tonight, but Josh Giddey found his footing early on. As his teammates kept settling for threes, he kept the Bulls alive in the fourth quarter with some aggressive downhill drives. You also have to give him credit for his effort on the glass, where he grabbed four OREBs.
Kevin Huerter – BStats: 20 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST
Kevin Huerter was a big part of the Bulls’ third-quarter surge, but his biggest shot of the night came late in the fourth. The defense can be a problem at times, but he’s a very valuable role player when he’s shooting the ball this well.
Dalen Terry – C+Stats: 5 PTS, 4 AST, 3 REB
With some tired legs out there, Dalen Terry got some run. The forward looked shot of the cannon on both ends of the floor, and he put together some really nice defensive possessions. The chaos he brought to the floor made a real difference.
Patrick Williams – C-Stats: 7 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL
I continue to grade Patrick Williams on a curve. Tonight was fine. He brought some real energy on the defensive end and gave Nikola Jokic some trouble early in the game. I liked his hustle overall, even if the box score underwhelms.
Matas Buzelis – C-Stats: 13 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL
Tonight was admittedly a tough one for Matas Buzelis with Jokic and Aaron Gordon in the lineup. He has a really strong start and helped keep the first five afloat while they waited for the starters, but he disappeared a little as the game went on.
Isaac Okoro – D+Stats: 2 PTS, 1 AST, 1 BLK
Yuck.
Chicago Bulls Box Score
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