|
 [February 27, 2023]
DeMar DeRozan scored 11 of his game-high 29 points in the
fourth quarter and Zach LaVine added 27 points to help the host
Chicago Bulls defeat the Washington Wizards 102-82 on Sunday
afternoon for their second straight victory.
Washington has lost two straight, as its lead over Chicago for the
final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament shrank to a
half-game.
Coby White scored 17 points for the Bulls, who led by as many as 21
points. Nikola Vucevic added 16 points and 13 rebounds for his 39th
double-double of the season, third most in the NBA.
Long-range shooting doomed both teams. The Bulls shot 8-for-30 (26.7
percent) from 3-point land, while the Wizards were 6-for-28 (21.4
percent).
Still, timely treys helped the Bulls close things out in the fourth
quarter. White hit a trey to put the hosts ahead 84-72 with 8:11 to
play before LaVine connected with 3:14 to go for a 16-point lead.
Chicago earned a split of the season series with Washington, with
the home team winning each of the four matchups between the teams.
The first three games were decided by nine combined points.
Bradley Beal had 18 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for
Washington. Daniel Gafford had a double-double of 15 points and 11
rebounds, while Delon Wright (14 points) and Kyle Kuzma (10) also
scored in double figures.
Chicago has limited foes to 169 points in the past two games.
The Wizards were without two starters but started strong, leading by
as many as six points in the first quarter.
[to top of second column] |
Feb 26, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA;
Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (6) strips the ball from Washington
Wizards center Daniel Gafford (21) during the second half at United
Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Washington's Kristaps Porzingis, the team's top
rebounder and second-leading scorer entering Sunday, sat out with a
left knee injury, while Monte Morris was held out with low back
soreness.
Chicago led 47-45 at halftime behind the effective one-two punch of
LaVine (17 points) and DeRozan (15). Gafford and Wright had 10
points apiece for the Wizards.
Washington committed eight turnovers before the break.
The Bulls have won eight of their past 11 meetings with the Wizards.
--Field Level Media
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
