The Chicago Bulls were in the driver’s seat for most of the game against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. However, things took a turn after the Hawks had a 50-point performance in the fourth period, leading to a 141-133 loss.
The Bulls had a nice momentum from the opening quarter, as backup point guard Jevon Carter had 19 points off the bench. Carter’s energy leading the second unit helped Chicago pick up the pace. Even All-Star guard Zach LaVine, who had a slow start in the first quarter, absorbed the point guard’s energy and finished the game with 37 points on 7-for-9 shooting from deep.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, they couldn’t stop the Hawks’ momentum in the fourth quarter. Their opponents had 50 points, while they had 25. Atlanta took advantage of their 17 attempts to the free throw line, which helped them stop Chicago’s momentum.
According to head coach Billy Donovan, the Chicago Bulls’ discrepancy in free throws was a major factor in their defeat. Donovan addressed it after the game in front of reporters.
“I thought the fouling was a huge issue,” Donovan said. “We got them into the bonus early in the fourth. The other issue was the rebounding. We had opportunities when we forced them to miss the first shot and they came flying in from the perimeter, and the other part was the physicality they played with defensively and the officials letting that stuff go. Obviously, (there) was a huge discrepancy from the free throw line (34-6 Atlanta) and we had a hard time playing through it. But it’s hard to win when you give up a 50-point quarter.”
The Bulls look to bounce back on Saturday as they play against the Milwaukee Bucks before returning on the road for two games on Monday.
Lakers not willing to give up starter for Chicago Bulls star
Both the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers have been active in trade talks in the 2024-25 NBA season. The Lakers are looking to add a third option to play alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James and LaVine’s name has been linked to the organization.
However, a trade for the two-time All-Star could be more difficult to execute as the Lakers are unwilling to include Austin Reaves in the trade package. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported about this on Thursday.
“There have been whispers about the Lakers for over a year now, but a source said that the pieces that would have to be swapped don’t fit, and Los Angeles remains steadfast that Austin Reaves isn’t going to be included.”
The Lakers are not interested in including Austin Reaves in a trade package for Zach LaVine, per @JCowleyHoops
“There have been whispers about the Lakers for over a year now, but a source said that the pieces that would have to be swapped don’t fit, and Los Angeles remains… pic.twitter.com/pcOFYeXZTb
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 25, 2024
Especially now that Reaves has started to pick up his pace and play well in the last six games, averaging 19.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists.
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