The Bulls continue their offensive slate against the Hawks

Addition of three for Bulls. Chicago sealed its third straight win on the floor SundayAtlanta in a match with 302 cumulative points, without even the slightest overtime (150-152)! A generally well-deserved success throughout the match, but for which the Bulls had to fight to the end.

The first quarter is not for fans of defensive basketball. Sunday’s mid-day matches are sometimes synonymous with awkwardness, this time that is not the case at all. The Bulls are ready to start the match, with a three-pointer 5/7 after four minutes and a 21-10 lead. Billy Donovan’s ferocious pace works well, but it’s not enough to prevent Atlanta from getting back on target.

The Hawks rely on their duo Mr. Okongwu (15 points in the first quarter, 3/3 on 3-pointers) – Jalen Johnson (10 points), well supplied by Trae Young (6 passes). The long distance skills of the home team, with Tree Young’s first 3-pointer since returning from injury, allowed Atlanta to regroup at the end of the first quarter, which the two teams closed with nearly 40 points scored (38-38).

And this mode for all attacks is far from over. Whit Krejci twice then Zachary Risacher find the scene behind the arch. The Frenchman is successful and safe with 14 points on 4/6 on 3-pointers in the first period. Great fear for Jalen Johnsonoff balance in the air as he attacked the circle before landing on his back and the back of his head, calming Atlanta down a bit. The Swiss Army Knife of the Hawks is back in the game, but the momentum is once again in favor of Chicago, who accelerate at the slightest opportunity. Since the distance address is there for the Illinois franchise as well (12/24 at halftime including 4/4 for Matas Buzelis12/21 for the Hawks), the Bulls offer themselves a new void to return to the locker room (73-83).

The bulls ruined almost everything

Defense is still not on the agenda for the Georgia franchise, but the offense is running at full speed. Tree Young, Nickeil Alexander-Walkerfinally in their match after a completely missed first period, and Jaylen Johnson passes the first layer to bring Atlanta closer. Then Krejci, irresistible with 3 points, blew away the State Farm Arena, bringing Atlanta under control after long minutes of chasing the result (108-107, 33′).

In a clean game like this, a few defensive stops are enough to start a streak. That’s all it takes Aio Dosunmu to stop the bleeding and give the Bulls some breathing room with their aggressiveness towards the circle. Josh Giddei he controls the match and torments the Hawks as soon as he gets on the racket. And while Atlanta forces threes, Chicago regains an eight-point advantage. Trae Young and Jaylen Johnson are doing everything they can to keep the Hawks’ chances alive.

Big 3-point shot by Josh Giddy, then a ball that Johnson quickly lost and immediately sanctioned Isaac Okoro puts Atlanta on the brink, -6 with one minute left. But the Bulls allowed free throws on the road and Atlanta came back to within three and two points. Trae Young shoots for the equalizer and thinks he made a foul, but the referees decide otherwise: Chicago escapes at the last minute.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– All-out attack. It was an open-door operation at times in this matchup, which could have taken on the appearance of an All-Star Game as defensive pulls were haphazard and certain possessions were questionable. The Bulls were credited with dictating their 200 mph game for one of their best offensive performances of the season: 57.6% shooting, 20/42 on 3-pointers, a career-high 41 assists and over nine players between 10 and 28 points. The award goes to Matas Bouzelis, who bluffs expertly at 10/11 on the shot, 7/8 behind the arc.

– Trae Young is back. In his second match after a serious knee injury, he quickly regained his senses. The leader of the Hawks simply signed his best performance of the season with 35 points on 10/15 shooting, and above all an impressive 7/8 on 3-pointers. His success allowed Atlanta to believe in a deadlock at the end of the match, in vain, even if the last action that could have sent the match to overtime may leave him with regrets.

– A win that could count double for Chicago. With this success, the Bulls not only kept the start of the series, but also continued Atlanta, now with three losses in a row. That ensures Billy Donovan’s players have the advantage in the event of a tie with the Hawks at the end of the season with at least two wins from the three games scheduled between the two franchises. It is not neutral between the current ninth and tenth in the Eastern Conference.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.