A four-game winning streak has vaulted the Chicago Bulls over .500 for the first time since Nov. 24.
“Hopefully it means we’re building, starting to do all the right things,” Bulls guard Kevin Huerter said.
Chicago will test that theory Monday as it hosts a Los Angeles Lakers team that has won three of four and is also trying to build sustained momentum.
“That’s the unknown, but that’s what you hope (for), obviously,” Lakers star LeBron James said. “That’s the unknown but you play the game. We got to now prepare ourselves for Chicago. … So, we got to keep this road trip going.”
Monday marks the fourth game of an eight-game trip, with the latest stop being a successful one.
Los Angeles recovered from Thursday’s 112-104 loss to the crosstown LA Clippers by rallying to defeat host Dallas 116-110 on Saturday.
Luka Doncic torched his former team for 33 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds while contributing solid defense, especially as the Mavericks targeted him down the stretch.
If the Lakers still wonder whether they’re starting to roll, there should be no doubt that they’re showing grit lately.
Marcus Smart, who scored seven of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, dislocated his right index finger on a deflected pass late in the game. Overcome by pain, he popped the finger back in place and continued.
“It’s part of the game, but that’s who I am,” Smart said. “I’m a tough player. Things happen, and I want to be able to help my team in any way I can, whether I’ve got 10 fingers or not.”
Lately, Bulls fans have become skilled at flashing three fingers to celebrate a made 3-pointer.
Chicago swished 21 treys on Saturday, including Huerter’s game-winner with 0.2 seconds left to sink the Boston Celtics in a 114-111 home win.
The Bulls have drilled at least 17 3-pointers in each game of their current run, including matching a franchise best with 25 makes in Tuesday’s victory over the Clippers.
Coby White connected on 5 of 9 from deep against the Celtics on his way to 22 points, leading eight scorers in double figures.
Coach Billy Donovan feels “we might have found something with our big lineup” that features Jalen Smith and Nikola Vucevic.
To Huerter, the versatility of the frontcourt and the rest of the lineup is what fuels the Bulls when they’re at their best.
“Guys have been shooting better, which helps,” Huerter said. “Getting our spacing right. I know we are playing big, but Stix (Smith) and Vooch (Vucevic) are really good shooters playing the four and five position. Always helps spacing the defense out and making them react to us. And we play with five guys on the court who can always shoot, and (are) shooting with confidence.”
The Bulls swept the Lakers in last season’s series and are 6-4 in the past 10 games between the teams.
Vucevic has posted six double-doubles in his last 10 games versus Los Angeles.
Doncic averaged 29.5 points in two games against Chicago last season. He has scored no fewer than 24 points in 12 games this month.
–Field Level Media
