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The Bulls (27-39) raced to a 20-9 lead in the
game's first 5:25 and spent much of the night ahead by a
double-digit-point margin.
Charlotte (32-34) cut the deficit to three points in the late
second quarter, but a Lauri Markkanen 3-pointer before halftime
gave Chicago a six-point foundation that it grew over a 37-21
third quarter.
Chicago's lead swelled to as many as 24 points in the second
half. The Hornets threatened to rally on a few occasions in the
fourth quarter, but they could never cut the deficit to fewer
than 16 points.
Behind the interior presence of Vucevic, the Bulls outscored the
Hornets 50-36 in the paint. Chicago also parlayed 15 offensive
rebounds, part of a 56-45 advantage overall on the glass, into
19 second-chance points.
Seven Bulls scored in double figures, including Garrett Temple
with 12 and Markkanen with 10 off the bench.
All five Chicago starters finished in double-figures scoring.
Coby White recorded 14 points, Patrick Williams 11 points with
nine rebounds, and Daniel Theis added 12 points.
Zach LaVine, who came into Thursday's contest seventh in the NBA
at 27.5 points per game, finished with 13 points.
Short-handed Charlotte, playing without Miles Bridges (health
and safety protocols), Devonte' Graham (knee) and Cody Martin
(ankle), welcomed P.J. Washington back to the lineup after he
missed Tuesday's game in Detroit.
Washington scored a team-high 24 points and shot 6 of 8 from
beyond the 3-point arc. Terry Rozier was the only other
Charlotte starter to score in double figures, with 12 points,
while LaMelo Ball struggled through a 1-of-10 shooting night to
finish with four points.
Reserves Malik Monk and Cody Zeller came off the bench to score
20 and 11 points.
--Field Level Media
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