During the Saturday night NBA slate, the Chicago Bulls defeated Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 129-121 with 36 points from Zach LaVine and 27 points from DeMar DeRozan.
Despite a 17-point deficit in the second half, Chicago won for the third time in four games thanks to Nikola Vucevic’s 23 points and 11 rebounds. During the third quarter, Dosunmu had 13 points, including a momentum shifting 3-pointer. With 32 assists, the Bulls shot 48 of 80 from the floor, a clip of 60.0 percent.
“We were able to get in transition, get some easy baskets,” LaVine said. “Then when they started doubling, it was just picking it out where the rotation was.”
As a team, Portland was led by Damian Lillard, who scored 40 points, and Anfernee Simons, who scored 27 points. In their third game in four nights, the Trail Blazers looked tired in the second half.
“I think it is a factor. You start to feel some fatigue,” Lillard said. “You have some mistakes and some breakdowns and stuff like that, and I think that’s probably something that comes from being out there back to back nights.”
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Due to the absence of Chicago’s best perimeter defender, Alex Caruso, Lillard and Simons took advantage of the situation. The 114-98 victory over Charlotte saw Caruso sprain his right foot. A 12-0 run by Chicago put Portland away with 8:07 left. With 5:13 remaining, Vucevic made two free throws to give the Bulls a 117-104 lead.
“Tonight, we just (weren’t) able to weather that storm in the second half,” Lillard said.
With 6:38 remaining in the third quarter, Portland led 80-63 on Lillard’s fourth 3-pointer. Chicago went on a 24-4 run after Dosunmu hit a 3-pointer on the other end. With 1:47 left, LaVine made a three-point play, a conventional 3-pointer, and two foul shots to give the Bulls an 87-84 lead. The Chicago Bulls led 92-87 at the end of the third quarter after Andre Drummond’s foul shot.
“I think that when we got down, we were in, I think, a mindset where we were trying to solve problems, and I think that’s where we’ve got to be,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
As the second quarter progressed, Lillard got hotter and hotter. Portland led 70-59 at the break after All-Star scored 19 points at the line in the period.
- Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here.
- Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook
