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Unbelievable! Takeaways from the Bulls' bad OT loss to the Hawks

Big Dave

December 12, 2022

Cue Track 5 on D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar album and hand me a case of Liquid Death. This one was tough.

After the Chicago Bulls took the lead thanks to three Demar DeHessofreakinggood DeRozan free throws with 0.5 left in OT, the Atlanta Hawks scored on an inbounds lob to AJ Griffin to stun the Bulls 123-122 in the ATL. It’s the second time this season the Hawks have used that play and both times came in OT with successful results.

The Bulls had a chance to win it in regulation at the free throw line but Derrick Jones Jr. hit only 1 of 2 free throws and instead sent the game into an extra period. The loss drops the Bulls to 11-15 and keeps them at arm’s reach of the play-in.

Let’s go over my takeaways in a segment I call Yup, Ehh, Damn.

YUP

+ Demar DeMachine DeRozan led the Bulls with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. He’s the first Bulls player to put up those numbers since the GOAT. No, not Matty Legend.

+ Derrick Jones Jr. was excellent in his role off the bench dropping 14 points, two steals and three blocks. In addition to the previously mentioned free throws that sent the game into OT, he was 1-2 from three which makes him 5-7 from behind the arc in the last two games. In his previous 19 games he has a total of four made 3s. That, as the kids would say, is some weird wild stuff.

+ Coby White and Andre Drummond also added to the scoring power from the bench. Sub Zero chipped in 12 points, six boards and four assists in 31 minutes along with going 4-of-9 from 3. His steal with eight seconds left in the fourth, which was originally ruled a foul but successfully challenged by Billy Donovan, led to DJJ having a chance to win it in regulation. Drumline had 14 points, nine boards and five steals. He showed his versatility and athleticism all night long.

EHH

– After a great 3 game stretch, the Attackary of Zachary took a step backary. Zach Lavine finished with 21 points and a season-high 7 turnovers. Zach continues to not get calls from the refs as he has had double-digit free throws attempts only once this season.

– Partick Williams struggled this game to find his rhythm. He put up eight points and seven boards in 25 minutes and went 0-3 from Curryland.

– Gorgan Dragic also had a rough go of it. Although he chipped in 6 assists, he went 1-of-7 from the field and 0-4 from Matt Thomas’ home (That’s two references of The Legend if you’re keeping score)

DAMN

Ayo Dosumnu left the game in the second quarter with an abdominal contusion and did not return. His defense on Trae Young was noticeable as at one point Young was 0-6 with Ayo most often being the primary defender. The warden was missed.

The Bulls went 7-of-27 from 3 for a shooting rate of 26 percent. When they have shot 20+% or lower this year, their record is 1-7. Yuck. Sorry, I meant Damn.

The loss stopped the Bulls from winning their third game in a row, something they have yet to accomplish this season.

OK thats it. Go hug someone and let’s get ready for the next game. Also, come join us for the first ever CHGO Bulls Takeover on Friday night. I promise you will not want to miss it. Grab your tixs now. Peace.