Enhanced Box Score: Grizzlies 104, Bulls 89 – February 7, 2023

The Chicago Bulls came out with a chance to go .500 for the first time since November … so, naturally, they scored 14 points in the first quarter.

Yup, that’s right. It was their lowest-scoring first quarter of the regular season, as they looked both tired and caught off guard by a physical Memphis Grizzlies team. To their credit, they were able to tighten the screws a tiny bit in the 2nd quarter on the defensive end to make it just a 10-point game heading into the half, but the basketball didn’t necessarily look any better.

The Bulls had the same amount of turnovers as made field goals over the first two frames (12), and the Grizzlies outscored them 34-16 in the paint. To be sure, this is the No. 1 team in nightly points in the paint, but that’s still a differential the Bulls never want to see, especially when we consider how little they tend to shoot the 3-ball.

They were able to make it a game in a fiery 3rd quarter where LaVine and Vucevic traded some impressive buckets. Patrick Williams also provided a helping hand, feeding Vooch a nifty wrap-around pass at the basket and dunking right on the head of Jaren Jackson Jr. in a ferocious manner. But did we really think the Bulls could beat a Grizzlies team that was 21-5 at home and second in the Western Conference? Of course not!

After taking good care of the basketball in the third quarter, the Bulls’ turnover woes crept back up in the final frame. Memphis eventually rattled off an 8-0 run and took complete control of the game in the final 6 minutes. They went on to win 104-89. Ya know, it was one of those famous Bulls crumbles.

The Bulls now get to face the Nets and Cavs over the next two games, making a journey to .500 feel that much steeper. But, first, the deadline!

My heart is hoping for something to get done … my brain is telling me to lower my expectations.

Check out the full box score here.