Losses and injuries continue to mount for the Chicago Bulls, who host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday after a winless four-game road trip.
Chicago squandered a 15-point lead in its latest defeat, Monday’s 125-120 setback in Orlando, as injuries sidelined Coby White (left calf tightness) and Isaac Okoro (back) along with several others. Kevin Huerter, a recent addition to the starting lineup, left the game and will miss Wednesday’s contest with a hamstring strain.
“It sucks,” said Bulls center Nikola Vucevic. “I don’t know exactly the reasons why we have so many injuries, but it’s frustrating to see guys go down. You feel for them. You know how much work they put in, how much time they put into their bodies to be ready to play, and when it happens like that it’s frustrating.
“But it is what it is. We have to move on.”
With only four victories in 20 games, Brooklyn might seem like a ripe candidate for helping the Bulls get well. Chicago, however, has slumped against competition of all kinds while losing 10 of 13, including losses at New Orleans and Charlotte to open its recent trip. Those teams entered Tuesday with nine victories combined.
The Nets stopped a four-game losing streak — their third this season of at least that length — with Monday’s 116-103 home win against Charlotte.
Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-best 35 points as Brooklyn improved to 1-9 at home this season.
Teammate Nic Claxton said “it felt good to get this first one” and “kinda get that monkey off our back.”
Brooklyn has split its past four road games. If the Nets are to string together consecutive victories for the first time this season, they’ll need the kind of depth and grit that boosted them against the Hornets.
Five players scored in double figures, with rookie Danny Wolf contributing each of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. The Nets forced 16 turnovers.
“You get some good energy to go back and work again because the games keep coming,” said Nets coach Jordi Fernandez. “In our situation, with the work, the development and games like this, it gives you extra energy to move on and keep working. I’m really happy for the guys. You see the growth, the composure. Everybody contributed to this win.”
Chicago and Brooklyn have split the past 10 meetings, though the Bulls have won two straight in the series, both at home.
Josh Giddey has posted two triple-doubles in his past five games against the Nets while averaging 15.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists.
Giddey flirted with his fifth triple-double of the season in Orlando, contributing 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Matas Buzelis followed with 21 points after totaling just 26 points over his previous three games. The second-year forward credited a recent talk with his mental health coach and the team’s recommitment to playing aggressively.
“We kind of fell away from that physicality a little bit and we are starting to regain it back now,” Buzelis said. “It has to be consistent. It is the NBA; players are so good. You have to be consistent every night.”
