The Bulls fell in convincing fashion to the Wizards 126-114. Here's what we learned:
The defense continues to slide
In 15 of their last 20 quarters, the Bulls have allowed 30 or more points. In six straight games, they’ve allowed 115 or more points, tying a franchise record. Tonight, the Wizards shot 53.9% from the field, scored 62 points in the paint and got just about everything they wanted, save for a stretch early in the fourth where the Bulls made this a game.
Bradley Beal ended with a cool 30 points on 12-for-23 with seven assists. Rui Hachimurra bullied them to 20 points on 7-for-12, Shabazz Napier slashed his way to 15, and the Wiz had seven in double figures overall. The third quarter doomed them again -- the Wizards shot 55.6% from the floor, outscored them 31-20 and put the game out of reach. Injuries hurt.
Coby White saw the Rising Stars snub
This morning, the Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Collin Sexton will replace a nicked up Tyler Herro in the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend. Coby White evidently heard the news.
In the first half, White looked on his way to one of his better games in recent memory. At the break, he had 12 points, four rebounds and four assists on 3-for-7 shooting with two 3-pointers, as well. He was a blur in transition and a couple of those dimes he slung were eyebrow-raisers:
But White ended the night with a relatively pedestrian line of 14 points on 4-for-14 shooting (2-for-7 from 3-point range). He logged 35 minutes, which Bulls fans should be happy to see, but they were allotted curiously. After that strong first half, White didn’t see the floor until six minutes into the third (as the Wizards’ lead swelled from seven to 15), then played the final 18 minutes of the game -- straight. He shot 1-for-7 in the second half.
All in all, it’s still an encouraging night from White -- seven assists, four steals and five rebounds are an indicator of strong effort and focus on his all-around game. As the losses continue to pile, his development will be key to watch, as will if the Bulls’ ultimately decide to give him a shot in a starting role.
NBA
Daniel Gafford -- active -- didn’t see the floor
For the second game in a row, Daniel Gafford was officially listed as active, but didn’t see game action. Gafford sprained his ankle Feb. 2 against the Raptors and was inactive Feb. 6 against the Pelicans before logging the ‘healthy’ DNP against the 76ers.
I don’t presume to know all of the details of Gafford’s recovery, but he assuredly would have helped a leaky Bulls defense tonight. Washington shot a whopping 75% in the restricted area in this one, and outscored the Bulls 62-50 in the paint overall. Time and time again, the Wizards had a red-carpet rollout on drives and cuts to the basket -- fitting with the Oscars just two nights ago.
Revenge Sato is the best Sato
It’s clear Satoransky relishes facing his old employer. He notched 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting and eight assists on the night, and looked every part the assertive, playmaking lead guard/wing archetype the Bulls envisioned him as this offseason:
In three games against Washington this season, Satoransky is averaging 18 points and 6.3 assists on 59.4% shooting (45.5% from 3-point range). He’s on record as saying facing off with the Wiz gives him an extra boost. Nights like this are further evidence.
A comeback gasp
The Bulls didn’t go out with a whimper. At one point trailing by 20 points in the second half, they cut the deficit to as few as six late in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Wizards by 32-26 in the final frame.
Zach LaVine was at the heart of that spurt. He finished with 41 points on a preposterous 15-for-21 shooting (8-for-11 from 3-point range), and 24 of those came in the final 16 minutes of the game. But that 16 minute-run began with the Bulls trailing by 21, and his heroics ultimately fell short.
The losing streak runs to six, tying a season-high and the second-longest of the Jim Boylen era. The record sinks to 19-36, and the eighth seed -- for a long time, a longshot -- drifts to 4.5 games away. The All-Star break couldn’t come at a better time for this undermanned group.
Enjoy the festivities in Chicago this weekend (and Zach LaVine in the 3-point shootout). See you Feb. 20 at the UC when the Hornets come to town.