Weeks ago we said the Bulls weren’t bluffing. Now as we head into the turn of the year, we can assure you that Illinoisans have the equipment to look anyone in the eye. Last night, during their visit to Brooklyn, Chicago pulled out the muscle to not lose face to the game at any time and, at the decisive moment, press and take the victory by a tight 107-111.
Supported by the duo of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan – they combined for 60 points – the Bulls lived three-quarters in tow. The Nets were pulling the score, trying to break the game, but only managed a maximum lead of 11 points (third quarter) that vanished as quickly as it came. Already in the last 12 minutes, to which the New Yorkers went ahead, a 13-2 partial in favor of Chicago turned the electronic game around. Chicago’s rents were meager, but they held out and finished off with 16 seconds to go with a triple from Lonzo Ball, who joined the party at the right time.
«We are simply going to continue being involved in the games. We are learning not to get discouraged if we miss shots. We are learning that a very critical part of the game is maintaining good sense and balance. There is a lot of time in the game to turn things around. You have to stay the course. That’s what we do, ”says DeRozan, the 29-point scorer, of his second win in two games against the Nets.
The Bulls are running from what is one of the most complete five in the competition. DeRozan and LaVine usually put the points, but behind them are Nikola Vucevic, who also has a facility to score and last night contributed 13 points, and Lonzo Ball, a point guard who against Brooklyn only signed eight points, but who does his bit in all the facets of the game, as shown by completing his stat sheet with 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals.
Durant, effort without reward
Kevin Durant was over 37 minutes of play for the fifth consecutive game – they were 45 against Phoenix – but that was not enough for the Nets to add another victory. During it he went to 28 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, numbers with which he led the New York attack. At the end of the meeting, questioned by the little rest of his star, Steve Nash commented the following:
“Kevin’s mentality is one of the reasons why he is one of the best players of all time. He loves the game. Telling him that we are going to limit his minutes is not going to sit well with him. We try to sneak minutes here and there and keep him on the bench for another 30 or 40 seconds when we can, “says the head coach of the Nets.
(Photograph by Mike Stobe / Getty Images)