The Chicago Bulls wrapped up their West Coast trip with a final game against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, defeating the Nuggets 129-119.
The Bulls entered Monday's game having won seven of their last nine, most recently achieving their best performance of the season against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets came into this matchup without former MVP Nikola Jokić and elite role player Aaron Gordon. The Bulls were still missing Lonzo Ball and Tre Jones.
Off to The Races
The two fastest-paced teams in the league squared off, quickly establishing a rapid tempo. Both teams showcased effective scoring while lacking defensive intensity, prompting the Bulls to switch to a 2-3 zone early in the game. Fortunately for the Bulls, Nikola Jokic was not available to exploit their defensive setup.
Offensively, the Bulls picked up right where they left off against the Lakers. Coby White opened the game with nine points, and Matas Buzelis added seven. Despite shooting efficiently in the first quarter, five turnovers and poor transition defense left the Bulls trailing after one quarter, 35-27.
The quarter break was all the Bulls needed to figure things out defensively. Coby White continued his streak of 20 or more points, achieving that in the second quarter. After a brief rest, White scored 15 points in the second quarter, going 100% from the field and hitting 3-of-3 from three-point range.
The Bulls entered halftime tied at 65, with Coby White leading the way with 24 points. Josh Giddey contributed 10 points for the Bulls. For the Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. scored 12 points, while Jamal Murray added 11 points.
The Chicago Bulls' Second Half Momentum
The third quarter was evenly matched, with both teams scoring 30 points, creating a back-and-forth dynamic throughout. It was interesting to see head coach Billy Donovan insert Jalen Smith as the backup center after he had not been in the rotation for the last four games.
The Bulls maintained momentum for most of the third quarter, but the Nuggets finished strong, resulting in a 95-95 tie. Giddey scored 10 points in the period, while young star Peyton Watson netted 12 for the Nuggets.
In the fourth quarter, the Chicago team surged ahead, outscoring their opponent in a decisive push. Coby White sparked a 17-4 run early in the period, helping Chicago extend their lead from one to nine points, ultimately securing the victory.
Dalen Terry delivered a standout performance in the clutch, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter. A key three-pointer in transition from Josh Giddey sealed the game for the Chicago Bulls, who defeated the Denver Nuggets 129-119. Six Nuggets scored in double figures, with Jamal Murray leading the way with 28 points and Peyton Watson contributing a strong performance with 24 points.
The Bulls continue their hot streak, winning eight of their last 10 games while performing at a high level. Coby White finished with 37 points, marking his third straight game with 35 or more points. Josh Giddey had another near triple-double, contributing 26 points. Dalen Terry played the final 17 minutes of the game, scoring 14 points, while Jalen Smith recorded 14 points and nine rebounds in just 15 minutes of action.
What's On Tap Next?
After finishing 5-1 on their six-game road trip, the Bulls return to the United Center on Thursday to face the Lakers. Los Angeles will seek revenge after the Bulls defeated them 146-115 in their last matchup.
