Bulls rally from 21-point, first-quarter deficit to beat Heat, snap 3-game skid

10 observations: Bulls rally from 21-point, first-quarter deficit to beat Heat, snap 3-game skid

Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich

The Chicago Bulls managed to overcome a 21-point first-quarter deficit Saturday night to secure a 102-97 victory over the Miami Heat at the United Center.

Here are 10 observations:

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Dennis Rodman graced the game with his presence, drawing a loud ovation. That moment turned out to be the highlight of the night until the fourth-quarter rally.

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The Bulls have struggled with slow starts, but this time they outdid themselves by missing their first 10 shots and committing three turnovers before Zach Lavine’s shot finally found its mark. They found themselves trailing 22-1, to the displeasure of the audience. Coach Billy Donovan had to use two timeouts in this stretch, one of which was used to challenge an offensive foul on DeMar DeRozan. Unfortunately, the Bulls lost the challenge.

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Donovan expressed his concerns regarding the slow starts pregame, comparing the team’s situation to coming out of the ring like Mike Tyson, insisting that they have to come out strong and be able to sustain it. However, the Bulls were dealt an early blow once again.

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The bench unit consisting of Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter, Torrey Craig, Patrick Williams, and Andre Drummond brought much-needed energy to the game. Their efforts in scoring and defense helped the Bulls go on an 11-0 run.

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Overall, the Bulls shot 5-for-20 in the first quarter with three turnovers, trailing by as many as 21 points. They scored 14 points, further plummeting their league-worst first-quarter scoring average of 25.3 points.

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To the Bulls’ credit, they managed to close the gap to just two points midway through the second quarter. However, a poor ending to the first half left them with a 10-point deficit at the break.

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Jevon Carter stood out in the first half, attempting six 3-pointers in just eight minutes of play. His quick decision-making, ability to take shots from beyond the arc, and defensive energy are commendable. The question remains about who may be displaced in favor of Carter due to the team’s guard-heavy lineup. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu have shown promise, while Zach Lavine and Alex Caruso are pivotal for the team.

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It wasn’t until the final minute of the third quarter that either DeRozan or Lavine reached double figures. When they finally did, the Bulls began to turn the tide, with DeRozan scoring 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

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The Bulls managed to come back from a zone defense that the Heat deployed, taking a season-high 45 three-pointers and making 16 of them. Their strong commitment to this strategy ultimately led them to tie the game for the first time on a DeRozan 3-pointer with 1:39 left. They then took the lead for the first time with a Caruso 3-pointer with 51.8 seconds remaining.

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DeRozan’s performance was pivotal in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead midrange jumper with 21.9 seconds left.

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