Bulls Close Out Game in Great 4th Quarter Fashion
Bulls Close Out Game in Great 4th Quarter Fashion (Chicago, Illinois) — After 2 postponed games due to many of the Bulls players contracting COVID, the Bulls were ready to face the Lakers after 8 rest and recovery days in Chicago. Both the Bulls and Lakers had many starters out due to health and safely protocols, however, the Bulls still managed to find gaps in the Lakers defense and were extremely consistent in the paint. The Bulls scored an impressive 28 points in the 1st while the Lakers scored 22 points. In the 2nd quarter, the Bulls and Lakers picked up the pace with the Bulls hitting 6 out of 9 of their 3-point shots. DeMar DeRozan was extremely quick to respond to the Lakers’ increase in pace, quickly making a run for the rim to be stopped, but hitting the fade away 2 – pointer from the top of the key. The Bulls seemed to struggle at the rim, only managing to make 3 of very many shots at the rim. The Bulls made 33 points while the Lakers made 37 points. By the end of the 2nd half the Lakers trailed the Bulls 61–59.
At the Half
In the 3rd, the Bulls and Lakers had another competitive quarter. The Bulls made just 2 of the 7 shots taken outside the arc, but were able to find holes in the Lakers defense through the paint. Alex Caruso was able to drive through his defender for the hook shot layup, completely blind with his defenders’ hands almost covering his entire view of the rim as he went up for his shot. The Bulls found their groove in the paint but were off on most shots anywhere else in that quarter. The Bulls scored 22 points while the Lakers had managed to take the 1-point lead by scoring 25 points. The Bulls now very closely followed the Lakers 84 – 83 going into the final quarter. In the 4th, the Bulls turned up the heat with DeMar DeRozan kicking it in gear by squeezing his way into the paint and get just enough room for the spin and fade away shot on his defender. The Bulls had shot and missed all 6 shots outside the arc but were able to make it up on possession time and unexpected shots taken right at the top of the key. The Bulls made an incredible 32 points while the Lakers fell short and only were able to secure 26. The Bulls beat the Lakers 115-110.
Game Leaders
Game Leaders were DeMar DeRozan with 38 points along with handing out 6 assists. On the defensive side, Nikola Vucevic was able to snag 13 rebounds. Tony Bradley was able to get 3 steals, while Javonte Green was able to get 2 blocks. The Bulls made 43.0% of their collective shots and 33.3% of every 3-point shot.
Up Next
The Bulls will travel to Houston to face the Rockets tomorrow (12/19/2021) at 7:00pm CST.
Bulls Close Out Game in Great 4th Quarter Fashion
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