Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton combine for 46 points, but the Chicago Bulls throw off the Blazers in Portland, 104-96.
DeMar DeRozan led Chicago in a team effort. Every Bull scored with six notching double figures. Anfernee Simons passed the 4000 career points threshold with the Blazers.
Portland continue to struggle without Shaedon Sharpe (thigh), but otherwise played healthy. Chicago went into the game without Zach Lavine (ankle), Patrick Williams (foot) and Torrey Craig (heel).
The Blazers fall to 13-33 on the season while the Bulls continue their campaign for the play-in, rising to 22-25.
Star Efforts
Jerami Grant led the Blazers with 24 points and seven rebounds along with a pair of assists and an emphatic block. Grant fired off early and made a living off the favorable whistle, finishing 13-16 from the free throw line. Unfortunately, he was ice-cold from three.
Deandre Ayton picked up the slack with his fifteenth double-double of the season, finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Ayton had his best offensive game of the season finishing 9-12 shooting. Unfortunately, the Blazers could not keep finding him.
For the Bulls, it was all about teamwork. DeMar DeRozan led the charge with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He hunted mismatches on the offensive end and respond to every made bucket or inkling of momentum for the Blazers.
Coby White also played a yeoman’s game, scoring 15 points, nine assists and 5 rebounds. Despite only making 7-15 shots and missing eight threes, he made an impact. His work spun up Chicago’s offense as the rest of the Bulls followed suit and scored.
How it Happened
The Portland Blazers came into the game after finishing a challenging road trip with a disappointing loss against the San Antonio Spurs. A dose of home cooking would suit them well before they head out for an equally challenging February that features only two home games.
The Chicago Bulls also came into the game nursing a two game losing streak after facing the Lakers in Los Angeles. This was a must-win to salvage something out of their West Coast swing.
First Half
Chicago came out of the gates firing, playing the passing lanes and running the break. They jumped out to an 11-4 run with blinding speed. The Bulls ran on every made shot and worked to isolate Simons out of the Blazers’ offense.
Despite their best efforts, Portland shot right back into the game with Jerami Grant, Jabari Walker and Malcolm Brogdon all cobbling together effective possessions. Grant would score seven points in the quarter. Both teams would scrap for the rest of the quarter, with Chicago ending on top, 26-23.
In the second quarter both teams would struggle from three, but the Bulls would tighten their hold on the defensive end. They forced four turnovers from the Blazers, pounded the paint while generally profiting off chaotic moments and loose balls. Chicago also shared the ball for 10 assists in the quarter.
Meanwhile the Blazers struggled to find anything that could work, ending with a measly 19 points in the quarter. Chicago’s defense confused Portland from entering their sets and turning the game ugly. The Blazers ended the half on a thunderous dunk from Deandre Ayton, but still down 53-42 and in need of some scrap.
Second Half
In the third frame, the trends of the game began to show: the Blazers struggled from three, but kept it close at the free throw line. They would finish the game 6-33 (18.2%) from beyond the arc but 26-29 (89.7%) from the charity stripe, making 16-17 in the third quarter.
Grant profited mightily, making 10-11 free throws in the quarter and manufacturing 14 points. Ayton found rhythm in the paint and rattled off eight consecutive baskets while also going 4-4 from the charity stripe.
After hot shooting in the second quarter, the Bulls dropped to 41.7% in the third. But they would find just enough offense to finish the quarter a point ahead, 86-85.
In the fourth, they restored their control, busting out on a quick five point run to force a timeout from the Blazers. Ayton would return to add in some more early baskets in the frame, but it was Anfernee Simons who found his groove in the quarter.
Despite finishing with only 11 points for the game, Simons notched eight in the quarter and added five assists and five rebounds as well. Taking the reins from Brogdon, the young guard fought to keep the Blazers within reach. Simons would cut the lead down to three on a straight away jumper above the key.
From there, however, all the Bulls had to do was respond. And respond they did. DeRozan would switch on to Simons and then drill a three pointer to put the lead back at six.
When Simons worked quickly to cut the lead back down to three on a driving layup, the Bulls moved the ball. They found Ayo Dosunmu wide open on the wing and he drilled another three to put Chicago back up six.
A stifling defensive possession lead to a Caruso block on a Simons’ attempt and a steal by Coby White in ensuing chaos would seal it. Vuvecic naile two free throws and the Bulls threw off the Blazrs 104-96.
Where to Next
The Portland Trail Blazers will not have much time to lick their wounds after this one; they face off the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday evening. The Chicago Bulls will head back to the windy city for a home game against the new-look Raptors on Tuesday.