Chicago has had quite a dramatic season through the first dozen games. After starting with a five-game undefeated streak, they’d move to 6-1 through seven. After that, they lost five straight outings to sit at 6-6. Tonight, they took on the second-best record in the Western Conference, represented by the Denver Nuggets and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. After 48 minutes of a back-and-forth affair, Nikola Vucevic took a three-pointer while winning by one with 33 seconds left. All of Chicago held its breath to see if the shot would fall and halt the losing streak, or if it would miss and risk dropping another heartbreaking fourth-quarter loss.
Bench Coming Up Big
The Chicago Bulls’ bench proved to be the key to this game. They outscored Denver’s second unit 66-9, led by 15 or more points from Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter, and Jalen Smith. It’s been said in many ways by NBA fans, but Chicago’s secret weapon is having a bench unit that is very similar in talent to the starting five, and having eight or nine players that contribute on a nightly basis. 11 bench three-point makes and seven-for-eight from the charity stripe carried the way to forcing Denver’s first home loss this season.
The Chicago Bulls BENCH MOB 🔥
Amazing performance by bench 🤝 pic.twitter.com/MqCD9pZwkb
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“Cardiac Bulls Are Back Baby”
Said best by Stacey King on the broadcast, “The Cardiac Bulls are back, baby!” After starting 4-1 in clutch games this year, they had dropped five of those decisions in a row. Opposing superstars taking over the fourth quarter had been the recurring theme for the Bulls over the past two weeks. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, Victor Wembanyama, and most recently, Lauri Markkanen all buried them down the stretch, making clutch buckets and proving why they’re among the best talents in the league. Tonight, Chicago survived a 36-18-13 line from Nikola Vucevic to steal the road victory. While they may have squeaked this one out, the most glaring issue remains guarding the opposition’s best player, especially when he’s a big.
Nikola Vučević extends Chicago’s lead 👏
Bulls lead Nuggets by 4 with 32.8 remaining! pic.twitter.com/lHPqpw8z3j
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After starting hot, going ice cold, and now hopefully on the upswing after a miraculous win, where do the Bulls go next? They are expected to regain Coby White on a full-time basis within the week. Meanwhile, Josh Giddey and Ayo Dosunmu are firmly back from injury, and the bench is among the most dangerous second units in the entire NBA. How far can Chicago go this season, and how do they finish the calendar year?
