NEWSLETTER
Phrase of the night: I’ll take it.
The Chicago Bulls officially have a winning streak after downing the Memphis Grizzlies 106-99 to move to 8-14 on the season.
For the most part, the Bulls starters took care of business, with all five players having a double-digit scoring night.
Bulls starters:
Sato – 13 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals
LaVine – 25 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds
Dunn – 10 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds
Markkanen – 15 points (3PT 4-8), 5 rebounds
Carter Jr. – 16 points, 13 reboundsFirst winning streak of the season. pic.twitter.com/uVpvfyRiZA
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 5, 2019
When the game tipped-off, it looked like the Bulls were on their way to a blowout victory. Having seen that story before, however, the 4th quarter came along and the Grizzlies predictably brought what was once a 22-point lead down to a single point. Then, to our pleasant surprise, the Bulls were able to close for the second-straight game.
LaVine checked in at the 9:40 mark and scored 9 of his 25 points in the final frame (this man is on fire … if you didn’t already know). Lauri Markkanen entered the game about two minutes later and came up with a clutch 3-pointer of his own, finishing the game with 15 points.
The Finnisher looks to have a bit of his swagger back, now having two games with four 3-pointers for the first time since January.
Lauri Markkanen has hit 4 threes in back to back games for the first time since January 17 and 19.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) December 5, 2019
The real story of the night though, the Bulls were swatting basketballs left and right!
The Bulls have 13 blocks in a game for the first time since January 1, 2015 against Denver (18).
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) December 5, 2019
Wendell Carter Jr. and Daniel Gafford combined for eight of the Bulls 13 blocks, as the team put on a pretty solid defensive showing. In fact, the Bulls two big men are the first Bulls players to each get four blocks in a game since Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. Not bad company.
The Memphis Grizzlies shot 38.5 percent from the field and 23.3 percent from behind the arc. And while the Bulls definitely got some help by the Griz not hitting a three-pointer until the 7:30 mark in the third quarter, any night you’re able to stack up 13 blocks is normally a good one.
As for the Bulls own 3-point shooting, it was actually solid again!
The Bulls shot 39.4% from behind the arc tonight (13/33).
The Bulls are now 7-2 when shooting 39% or better from three and 1-12 when they don't.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) December 5, 2019
Shoutout to The Score’s Jeff Mangurten, by the way. I’m basically just letting him fill up the postgame today with some great stats!
Now, I know a seven-point win over a Ja-Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies team might not do it for you, but just try to enjoy it. As Will Perdue wisely commented during the pregame, this outing was less about who the Bulls were playing and more about finally getting back-to-back W’s.
I’m decently content with what we’ve watched from this team now over the past two games. Yes, a lot still needs to be worked on, but the Bulls starters are clicking far better than any other time this season. I’m not saying the Bulls are back on track (I mean, they were never even on the track, to begin with). What I am saying: At least the product on the court is better than what we’ve been seeing. Who knows if it’ll stay that way.
We’ll talk more tomorrow! Rest easy.
