10 Observations: Bulls sweep season series originally aired on NBC Sports Chicago
Presentation by national insurance agent Jeff Vukovich
NEW YORK — The Chicago Bulls suffered their second shutout loss in three games, falling 125-108 to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night at Barclays Center.
“We're so close to being done with this,” DeMar DeRozan said. “We've got to treat these games like that. We can't just get to the play-in game and say, 'Let's respond like we've done against good teams all year long.' We have to make sure we're trending in the right direction and don't let games like this slip away. ”
Below are 10 observations.
—The Nets won the season series in three games. The loss cut the Bulls' lead over the Atlanta Hawks for the No. 9 seed in the East and a home play-in game to just 0.5 games. These teams will play Monday at the United Center. The Bulls already hold the tiebreaker against the Hawks.
“This game is over, it's over,” DeRozan said. “To understand that you're not going to drop down to (10th) and go back to just playing basketball the way we know how to play basketball and competing on both ends. Use it for all kinds of motivation.”
Last season, the Bulls had to play two play-in games on the road, and are looking to avoid the same path this season.
“Our players are very aware of that,” coach Billy Donovan said. “The players probably sent a message with 12 games left. They (made) us realize the importance of finishing strong and doing all of those things. It's obviously difficult to be able to move on. There's a chance we could move below where we are, so the players understand that. Obviously when you have a home game, you have to go away and travel. Our players understand that.”
—Brooklyn had already held opponents to a season-high 25 3-pointers in a home win on Nov. 26, 2023. Friday added 25 to that number, including seven each for Dennis Schroder and Mikal Bridges. Cam Thomas, who led the Nets with 28 points, had 5 RBIs. The Nets outscored the Bulls by 48 points from 3-point range, hitting 25 of 44 for a whopping 56.8 percent.
“They hit some tough shots,” DeRozan said. “We have to give them credit. They found a rhythm. It's hard to guard a team that gets into a rhythm and just pulls back and comes down without remorse. They come down in transition and shoot. “There were a lot of shots. It looked like it was. “Offensively, nothing was going right. We kept fighting and they just kept making shot after shot.”
—The Bulls shot 50.7 percent, but lost because they allowed a three-point deficit, 19 second-chance points, and 16 points off turnovers. The Nets attempted 16 more field goals than the Bulls.
—Coby White's shooting struggles continued. He scored nine points in the third quarter, finishing with 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting and nine assists. White has played in just 22 of 65 games in four games since returning from a hip injury, but he said he is trying to impact the team with leadership, playmaking and defense during his downturn. .
“I'm not going to force anyone to do anything. I want them to be free,” White said. “Right now I'm just not shooting as well as I usually do.”
—Alex Caruso adjusted his troublesome left ankle guarding Nick Claxton late in the first quarter. Caruso was whistled for a foul and sat on the floor, grimacing as players lined up for free throws. He retired to the locker room to start the second quarter, but checked in midway through the second quarter.
—Caruso then suffered another blow early in the fourth quarter when Cam Thomas' head slammed into Caruso's jaw while going through a screen. Caruso left the game bleeding from the mouth during the ensuing timeout, but he returned.
—For the second consecutive game, Javonte Green's first rotation turn produced an incredible plus-minus rating. This time, Green finished his first nine minutes with seven points, including a 3-pointer and a fast-break dunk after one of his two first-half steals, and was plus-13. Green also made some plays that didn't show up in the box score. He would dip his body in the paint to provide help or run hard on the wing in transition.
— Before the game, Donovan said Julian Phillips was in and out of a walking boot and not doing any on-court work. As such, Phillips will be out after Green's first 10-day contract, and Green could potentially sign a second 10-day contract. Donovan said he has not yet had any such discussions with management.
—This game featured the NBA's top two time leaders this season, DeMar DeRozan, who led the Bulls with 31 points, and Mikal Bridges. The Nets forward has actually led the NBA in minutes played the past two seasons, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only players in league history to lead the NBA in minutes played in three consecutive seasons. They are fighting over things. With eight games left, DeRozan holds a sizable lead.
Asked if fatigue was catching up with him, DeRozan said, “No, that's not possible.” “We're down to eight games. Now we're going to have to keep fighting for our lives. It's going to be even more exhausting. So we're going to dig deep and see how much we want it. You have to show that.”
—Jevon Carter did not play again due to his coach's decision.
