CHICAGO URBAN DAILY
CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)— The Bulls had the defending champions on the ropes. Then the fourth quarter happened.
New York stormed back from 19 points down to beat Chicago 133-127 Wednesday night at the United Center, winning the fourth quarter 43-31 and handing the Bulls their third straight loss.
Chicago led 96-90 going into the fourth and had stretched the lead to 19 midway through the third behind Norman Powell, who scored 14 of his team-high 30 points in the quarter. But Jalen Brunson would not let it stand. The Stevenson High School product poured in 38 points — his highest output of the season — and Landry Shamet’s three-pointer with 6:26 left gave New York a 112-109 lead it never gave back.
The Knicks did it with their bench. Coach Mike Brown sat starter Mikal Bridges for all but three minutes of the second half and rode reserves Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson and Shamet, who combined for 41 points and 15 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and OG Anunoby chipped in 23.
Seven Bulls finished in double figures — Caleb Wilson with 20, Jalen Smith with 17 points and 11 rebounds, Matas Buzelis with 17 — but Chicago could not close. The Bulls are now 1-4, 12th in the East, and the season’s early promise is starting to feel like a mirage.
The bounce-back test comes Friday, when Chicago heads back to Boston.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily for the result and what it means for this young Bulls team.
Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
