The Charlotte Hornets they triumphed this friday 133-117 at the United Center Chicago against the Bull’s and inflicted their fourth consecutive loss at home, just over a week before the start of the playoffs. LaMelo Ball directed a true basketball recital for the Hornets, with 24 points in the first half that allowed the North Carolina team to put their victory on track with a half in advance. The Bulls fell again at home and remained sixth in the Eastern Conference standings (45-36), while the Hornets are tenth (42-39) and are gaining enthusiasm and confidence ahead of their way to the play-offs. in. LaMelo Ball contributed 24 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds in 29 minutes on the court, supported by twenty points from Miles Briges. Kelly Oubre Jr also shone off the bench, with 18 points and four triples. For the Bulls, Zach Lavine was the best with 23 points and seven assists, on a night in which DeMar De Rozan failed to be decisive and finished with 17. Coby White, with 19 points and six triples, allowed the Bulls to prevent the defeat turned into a real humiliation.
The Bulls melt at home
If the defeat suffered to open the week against the Milwaukee Bucks was tempered by the official qualification for the playoffs after five years of waiting, the setback against Boston and this Friday against the Hornets caused much more alarm in the Bulls. Billy Donovan’s team confirmed its tremendous difficulties when it comes to competing with the greats, as evidenced by the resounding defeats against the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, but they also could not compete against the Hornets, a team with a worse record than theirs in this season.
Despite the enthusiasm of the United Center and the message of thanks sent by Zack LaVine before the start of the game, asking for support for the start of the playoffs, Charlotte walked and completely dominated the Bulls. They were ahead from start to finish, led by a LaMelo Ball who scored 21 points in the first fifteen minutes of the game and had 24 at halftime, scoring from virtually anywhere on the court. They came to have a 31-point lead at 79-48 in the second quarter and the break did not change the inertia of the match, with the Hornets forceful against some Bulls who chained naive turnovers. The margin was increased to 37 points on Terry Rozier’s jump shot that made it 95-58, prompting a loud whistle from the Bulls fans in attendance.
Coby White nuances the defeat
In a less than brilliant day for DeRozan, LaVine and a great Coby White, with three consecutive 3-pointers, managed to cut the margin below thirty points and bring Chicago closer. A slump in concentration by the Hornets, in which LaMelo Ball missed four straight shots before sitting on the bench, sparked a Bulls comeback to 128-113, but it was too late. The Bulls said goodbye to their fans with four straight losses and will close their season with a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves. For their part, the Hornets will finish their season at home against the Washington Wizards, waiting to find out who their rival will be in the play-in. At this point they would have the Atlanta Hawks, but they could also end up competing with the Brooklyn Nets, the biggest threat, and unknown, in the Eastern Conference.