NEWSLETTER
Inexcusable.
Nobody is going to take the Chicago Bulls seriously when they lose games like tonight. And they shouldn’t. Whether DeMar DeRozan is on the floor or not, you can’t lose to a Wizards team that is without their top two scorers and starting center.
This was supposed to be the game where the Bulls prove that they could finally take care of lesser opponents as they make a second-half run. Instead, it now makes the second-easiest schedule the rest of the way feel like a borderline death sentence.
I don’t know what it is, man. How they can continue to play down to this level of competition when they’re trying to re-enter the playoff mix is mind-boggling. In no world should a Wizards team missing their best two big men outrebound you 52-39. In no world should a Wizards team without their best scorers get to the free throw line for 21 attempts to your 9. In no world should this Wizards team – regardless of who’s playing – outscore you 41-21 in the 3rd quarter.
The Bulls were lazy getting back on defense (allowing a back-breaking bucket at the 3rd quarter buzzer), horrible at getting Vucevic the ball inside despite the size advantage (allowed 19 points off TOVs), and looked completely limited in their second unit (bench was outscored 38-24 and Drummond played 8 minutes with 5 fouls). What an embarrassment.
Even worse, Zach LaVine tainted what was otherwise another stellar performance with an absolutely head-scratching final possession. With 5.0 seconds left and the Bulls in need of a 3-pointer to push the game to OT, LaVine settled for a mid-range pull-up. Washington had a foul to give and LaVine claims he was trying to draw it … but is going for the and-one attempt better than going for the 3? No. You have to shoot that ball behind the arc.
Again, I just don’t freakin’ know. We’ll talk more about it tomorrow. I need a drink.
Check out the full box score here.
