The Chicago Bulls decided to flip the script in Brooklyn. Coming into the game with easily the NBA’s worst first-quarter net rating (-21.2), they dominated the first 12 minutes in a truly uncharacteristic fashion.
They found themselves up by as much as 21 points in the opening frame, draining 8-12 shots from downtown. Patrick Williams even put together a tremendous first stint after re-entering the starting lineup due to Alex Caruso’s absence. He drained three shots from downtown and had a nice aggressive drive to the rim, finishing 4-4 with 11 points.
The script wouldn’t be officially flipped, however, if the Bulls held onto that lead. Brooklyn did their best impression of Chicago and used a spark from their second unit to claw back into the game. They opened the second quarter on a 25-5 run … only to go on to outscore the Bulls an embarrassing 44-19 to take a 63-55 lead into the locker room.
The bleeding continued throughout the game. While DeMar DeRozan tried to keep the team within striking distance on his way toward 27 points on 11-22 shooting, the Bulls looked less and less motivated as the game went on. The primary reason for that was the Nets’ scalding hot hand from downtown.
Brooklyn drained 25 shots from behind the arc to outscore the Bulls 75-36 from three. Yes, you read that right. This marked the single-most 3-pointers ever made by an opponent in franchise history, per NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson.
On the one hand, I can understand how demoralizing it must feel to see the opposing team knock down 3-pointer after 3-pointer. On the other hand, what was stopping the Bulls from doing something about it? This wasn’t just a case of the Nets finding a rhythm. We saw little to no effort from this Bulls’ defense to ramp up pressure on the perimeter and pick up shooters early. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, they looked like a team merely going through the motions.
Even the remarkably optimistic Stacey King couldn’t help but express immense frustration with this team as the clock wound down. Not only did he call them out for “horrible” defense, but he rightfully called for them to play with more pride. When you lose Stacey, you know you’re cooked.
The Bulls have now lost seven of their last eight games. And, as we discussed this morning, this meeting with a banged-up Nets squad may have well been their best opportunity to get a win until late December. So … how much longer until this front office swallows its pride and admits that continuity was an epic failure?
We’re all waiting.
Check out the box score here.