NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls wanted to win.
Then they didn’t.
And then they did again.
The 2019-20 Bulls rode that familiar rollercoaster.
Like most Bulls victories, it took some late-game heroics from Zach LaVine (25 points on 8 of 18 shooting) to save the day and close out another unconvincing win against a drab opponent. At least this one had some significance, as tonight’s win meant the Bulls surpassed last season’s home win total of nine games. Yippie!
Purely for the sake of my sanity, I’ll play the role of an optimist for tonight.
The Bulls had six players in double-figures, which somehow included a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double from Cristiano Felicio. Does that make the $32 million worth it!? Again, purely for the sake of my sanity … maybe (or maybe just for tonight)? Lauri Markkanen (21 points) broke out of his slump, while front-court partner Luke Kornet (15) chipped in, too. Kris Dunn scored 14, while attempting just one 3-pointer. Coby White (12) rounded out the double-digit scoring efforts. Overall, the Bulls appeared to be a bit more proactive about getting Markkanen on the move and, most importantly, keeping him on the court. The Finnisher clocked 34 minutes for the first time since January 6, which also happens to be the last time he scored more than 20 points. More of that, please.
Lauri Markkanen was huge in tonight's win over Minnesota, dropping 21 points (with 4 triples) and grabbing 6 boards: pic.twitter.com/iGzW5E9G9T
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 23, 2020
It wasn’t an easy win, by any means. This tweet recaps the game in fewer than the 280 characters twitter allows:
A Normal Bulls Win:
-Grab 19-point lead
-Blow 19-point lead
-Lose 3rd quarter
-Keep things close
-Boylen does something weird
-Give the ball to Zach LaVine
-Zach LaVine saves Bulls butt pic.twitter.com/u1wLEDRKBr— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 23, 2020
After grabbing a 19-point lead in the first half, the Bulls found themselves fighting to stay in the game in the second. Chicago allowed a lineup without Minnesota’s best player, Karl-Anthony Towns, to outscore them 23-17 and carry the Timberwolves back into the game. It shouldn’t have been this close. But I’m trying to play the optimist, remember?
Still, even on nights when the Bulls pull off a victory, absurdity and mismanagement reek throughout the United Center.
Jim Boylen had a bizarre timeout call with 5.4 seconds remaining and his team up by seven points. His explanation:
Boylen said he did this to advance the ball. Timberwolves were pressing and he wanted to get ball inbounds.
Said postgame talk with Saunders was because they’ve known each other a long time and Boylen was close to Flip. https://t.co/OeHx9kn07I
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 23, 2020
As for the arena itself, it was only sprinkled with Bulls fans.
Actions speak louder than words. https://t.co/OVDlGe5YQo
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 23, 2020
But a win is a win. Even if it happened in front of a smattering of fans who deserved a more convincing triumph for their patronage.
