NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls came out like they never stopped playing.
Despite Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan each playing over 47 minutes less than 24 hours earlier, they ran the Miami Heat off the floor in the first half. DeRozan dropped 13 points with 6 assists, while LaVine added 12 points with four of his dimes. The two were a crucial part of setting an uptempo and unselfish tone, which led to the Bulls dropping a crazy 21 assists on their first 29 made field goals.
The real star of the first two quarters, however, was the hometown veteran. Patrick Beverley knocked down four 3s and scored 14 points in the 2nd quarter. He threw out another “two small” celebration and ran to celebrate with the crowd after sinking his fourth shot from downtown. The energy in the United Center was absolutely electric, as the Bulls shot 61.5 percent and held the Heat to just a 40.0 percent shooting effort. They walked into the locker room up 70-45.
Ok, so even the Bulls can’t blow that kind of lead, right? Actually, for once, that is right!
While the Bulls gave us a scare by letting the Heat win the 3rd quarter 32-20 and eventually trim the lead down all the way to one possession, the Bulls didn’t hang their head. After Tyler Herro’s 3 cut the Bulls’ lead to 93-90, LaVine went down the floor and sank his own deep ball. The Bulls rattled off a quick 11-4 run to stretch things back out to a double-digit advantage. From there, the momentum was entirely back in their favor and it led to Miami swiftly throwing in their scrubs.
Look, I’ll just say this, the Bulls would have NEVER won a 2-OT game and beaten Miami by 14pts in the span of 24hrs a month ago. I know that extending a lead for the 10 seed may not be all that exciting, but I got to give the Bulls credit for showing a level of energy and urgency that we have yet to see this season. While it may be late, it’s better late than never!
Check out the box score here.
