When the stakes are high, the Chicago Bulls assure themselves that they will emerge supreme.
On Wednesday night, the Bulls continued to carry their will in front of a gigantic opponent as they outlasted the Brooklyn Nets, 121-112, within the raucous and lively United Center.
As they rode an early momentum from the first half, Chicago seized their moment and went on to slash the Nets’ lengthy 12-game winning skid that stood up the longest in the league.
Behind the scoring punches of DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Pat Williams – dropping 20-plus points apiece – the Bulls were able to collectively snatch the victory. Three other players polished double-digit scoring, as Ayo Dosumnu, Zach LaVine, and Coby White chipped in 17, 13, and 10, respectively.
“Obviously the last game left a bad taste in our mouth,” Williams said, pertaining to their disastrous loss against the 71-point display of Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers (h/t Julia Poe of Chicago Tribune). “So we’re just trying to come out and right those wrongs and get a win.
“I think we’re a good team. I think we know we’re a good team. A lot of times against the good teams we want to show you we’re good team. It’s more so just being consistent with it against whoever we play and being consistent with who we are, who we want to be, night in and night out.”
Chicago’s balanced scoring overpowered the explosion of Kevin Durant, who went on a tear and dropped 44 points in a solid 68.2 percent efficiency. Kyrie Irving also added 25 markers, but their efforts weren’t enough to keep Brooklyn sticking in the win column.
Though they appear questionable on their meltdowns and losses against mediocre teams, the Bulls are now boasting a 6-1 record against the Top 3 teams within the Eastern Conference, beating powerhouses in the likes of the Nets, Boston Celtics, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Now at 10th place, the Bulls will look to climb up the standings as they are set to hit the road to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
