Bulls top Trailblazers |
CHICAGO - Any time you get this late in the season and are in a position to make the playoffs, every win is crucial. That is no different for the Chicago Bulls (34-35), as they are closing in on their final 13 games and trying to break the .500 mark for the first time all season. Considering all the injuries and issues this team has dealt with this season, to be this close to .500, let alone in the playoff chase, is a compliment to the coaching job Billy Donovan has done this season.
Sure, Donovan will always make questionable decisions with his lineups, but when you look at his overall body of work, this has to be his best job since taking over the Bulls. After playing .500 basketball through one of their more difficult remaining stretches, the Bulls have seen their schedule lighten up a little, and Chicago is looking to take advantage of that. You saw them blow out the Washington Wizards on Saturday. With another struggling team, the Portland Trail Blazers (19-49), coming to the United Center on Monday, the Bulls had another excellent opportunity to bank another win. Unlike their win against the Wizards, the Bulls appeared to be in control most of the game. They took a five-point lead at the half and stretched it to 14 heading into the fourth. Then came the final 12 minutes, during which the Blazers not only had their best quarter of the night but completely dominated the Bulls to the point that this was a one-possession game. It didn't come easy, but the Bulls did indeed take care of business, holding off Portland for the 110-107 win to inch closer to that .500 mark. Continuing to be cautious about Coby White's hip, Donovan kept him out of the lineup again as they hope he will be ready for the rest of the games this week. With him out of the lineup, Chicago needs other guys to step up, and Demar DeRozan has been that guy. Nicknamed Mr. Fourth Quarter for a reason, DeRozan has been nothing short of clutch for the Bulls over the past month, and with 28 points to lead the Bulls, that continued. DeRozan was backed by two more massive performances, as the Bulls' overall balanced attack continues to be the story on offense. Nikola Vucevic had his usual big game with 22 points and nine rebounds, but the double-double from Ayo Dosunmu continues to have fans talking. Dosunmu scored 23 points in the victory while racking up ten assists. There is talk about whether or not he will be starting in place of Zach Lavine next season. Not only were those the lone players to hit 20 points for Chicago, but they were the only ones in double figures as the rest of the Bulls roster struggled to get things going. Andre Drummond and Onuralp Bitim chipped in with nine points off the bench, which made up for the combined 11 points from Torrey Craig and Alex Caruso. Caruso had been on a four-game hot streak, but you had to think that would end, with this game being the one where it ended. Although this Portland team's losses continue to pile up, you have to give them some credit for hanging in there. They refused to give up in this game. Having an inside-out duo of Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons certainly helps, as the Bulls had no answers for either guy. Ayton was the go-to man for three quarters, finishing with 25 points and 15 rebounds, while Simons put the team on his back in the fourth to lead the comeback attempt and led all scorers with 30 points. Like the Bulls, they didn't have many players with 20 points, but they did have a lot more overall balance as six players landed in double figures for Portland, which kept things close. Scoot Henderson added 14 points to the starting five, as did Duop Reath, who gave Portland a massive lift off the bench with 14 points. Dalano Banton also stepped up off the bench for Portland with 11 points, as those are some of the names this team will count on for the future. Rounding out the double-digit scorers for Portland was Kris Murray, who scored 10 points. The Bulls did just enough to hold off Portland. Chicago will now have an extra day of rest before heading to Houston as they look to finally reach the .500 mark for the first time since November. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHCZ56jKgqk
