The Chicago Bulls‘ record dropped to 21-25 when they lost their second straight game, 141-132, to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers shot over 60% and looked great from the field. With 20 three-pointers made, they were particularly effective from outside the arc. D’Angelo Russell, the point guard, scored eight of them, contributing to his team-high 29 points.
image courtesy : Marca
Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis recorded double-doubles, with James scoring 25 points and dishing out 12 assists and Davis scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to help level the score at 23-23.
2nd Quarter Masterclass
The Bulls had a commanding lead after the first quarter, leading 32–31. The Lakers dominated the second quarter, going up 73-57 at the half after making all but three of their attempts in an explosive 42-point performance.
Third time hitting 20+ 3s in franchise history 🔥@MichelobULTRA | #UltraMoment pic.twitter.com/76hAV6oA7d
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 26, 2024
In the second quarter, the Lakers were effective on both ends of the court, displaying their formidable offensive and defensive capabilities. During that crucial period, the Lakers made six of their seven long-range shots, while the Bulls only made three of their eleven three-pointers. Chicago made four turnovers and only assisted on six shots, indicating that their ball movement was also off.
A meek attempt at comeback
With less than a minute remaining in the game, the Bulls attempted to rally behind DeMar DeRozan‘s impressive shooting in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to eight points, 140-132. But the Lakers held Chicago at bay until the very last buzzer, proving that time was not on Chicago’s favor.
Not our night. Road trip wraps up Sunday night in Portland. pic.twitter.com/8OEWJE1Md1
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 26, 2024
Billy Donovan said,
“We certainly dug ourselves a hole,” “The difference in the game was the foul line for them. We fouled them too much. They shot astronomically well. The turnovers, and the close of the second quarter, really hurt.”
In the end, DeRozan scored 32 points, Coby White scored 25, and Nikola Vucevic scored 20 points. The Bulls play the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in an attempt to win their final game of a three-game road trip out west.
