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For the first time since January 10, the Bulls played a basketball game. In the first of a two-game road blip, they ceded a 22-point second-half lead to the Oklahoma City Thunder, losing 127-125 in overtime.
Here is what stands out:
Lauri Markkanen returns
After a seven-and-a-half-game absence due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols (close contact), which was preceded by a calf contusion, Markkanen returned to the Bulls’ starting lineup on Friday.
He played 15 active minutes in the first half. In the first quarter, he overcame an early roll by hitting a catch-and-shoot 3, making two free throw attempts going down a loop and blocking a Darius Bazley float. In the second, he scored five more points, including an impressive and one, and another block.
Later, as the game started to slide in the fourth quarter, Markkanen dropped two 3s to stabilize the ship. But he wasn’t much of an offensive factor later on. He finished with 16 points, six rebounds, two blocks and a litany of other impressive defensive possessions. A solid individual on his first outing.
Reinstatement in rotation
We knew Markkanen’s return would leave someone on the outside watching the Bulls spin. As one might expect, that person was Daniel Gafford. Spark plug center didn’t register a minute in this one, as Markkanen and Thad Young split the minutes at the save center.
The decision made additional sense against a small-ball Thunder team missing Al Horford. But it could very well stick.
Rotation issues
Zach LaVine caught fire for chunks, and the Bulls’ offense was balanced. The five starters finished in double digits. LaVine signed his fourth straight 30-point game with 35 of 11 for 18 (8 for 13 of 3), Coby White scored 22-9-7 and and Wendell Carter Jr. (16 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks) had had his fourth double-double of the season.
But sales were the story of the night again. The Thunder turned 24 Bulls coughs, six of which belonged to LaVine, into 33 points. Nine of those weaknesses arose in a third quarter, the Thunder winning 37-27, then seven more in the fourth. The snowball races that took place ultimately ended in defeat.
Another quirk: The Bulls shot 11 for 16 from the charity strip between the second half and extra time. These points ended up occupying an important place.
Curse of the Chesapeake Energy Arena strikes again
In a game on Dec.16, 2019, the Bulls led the Thunder 68-49 – at Oklahoma City – at halftime, but then lost 109-106. On Friday, they were leading 68-50 at the break.
Obviously, these circumstances are not the same. Paul didn’t go through that door for the Thunder. But this one reflected this fateful competition. After pushing the Thunder back from their deficit to two at one point in the third, the Bulls wasted a 16-point lead with 4:40 left, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33 points, 10 assists, 13 for -) 19 FG) A three-point play on Coby White – on a possession granted by an offensive foul by LaVine – tied the game 118-118.
Final possession of the Bulls ‘settlement ended with a contested LaVine 3 that missed, and an overtime period in which the Bulls’ offense continued to stagnate ensued. The Thunder won the frame 9-7. The game ended with a LaVine 3 pull-up that peeked off the rim over time and would’ve won it.
And, to make matters worse, LaVine hobbled on the ground after the last honk following a collision late in overtime.
It’s as bad a loss as you could for the Bulls. After going through the first half all their demons struck in the second and the result is a goodwill loss that spoils the goodwill of a competitive West Coast road trip. The losing streak goes up to four.
Next stop: in Dallas against the Mavericks on Sunday.
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