CHICAGO — Josh Giddey delivered an impressive performance on Monday night, achieving 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, which propelled the Chicago Bulls to a 128-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
This marked Giddey’s first triple-double of the current season and the 12th of his career.
Nikola Vucevic also made a significant impact for Chicago, contributing 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Bulls, who were looking to bounce back after losing three out of their last four games, saw Matas Buzelis adding 20 points while shooting 7-for-10, and Zach LaVine putting up 18 points.
On the other hand, the Nets experienced their third consecutive loss, all occurring within the span of four days. Dariq Whitehead was a bright spot for Brooklyn, scoring 18 points, while Dennis Schroder compiled 16 points and 10 assists.
The Nets were hampered by injuries, missing forward Cam Johnson due to a sprained left ankle. Johnson had scored 26 points in a previous match against the Orlando Magic.
Additionally, Chicago’s Coby White was also unable to play because of a sprained left ankle.
The Bulls found their rhythm, particularly in the third quarter, where they outscored the Nets 36-22, taking a significant lead. A basket from Buzelis, assisted by Giddey, pushed the score to 92-72 as they entered the final quarter.
Takeaways from the game reveal that the Nets seemed to lose energy in the second half, shooting just 40% from the field, including a lackluster 14-for-42 from beyond the arc.
On the Bulls’ side, Vucevic continues to build on his solid start to the season with a notable contribution of three 3-pointers from the team’s total of 16.
A crucial moment in the match came when the Bulls launched a 13-0 scoring run to establish a 50-42 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the first half, capped off by a decisive 3-pointer from Giddey.
In terms of shooting efficiency, the Bulls displayed a remarkable 52.2% (48 for 92) from the field, maintaining a streak of shooting at least 50% in six consecutive games, the longest such streak in the NBA this season.
Looking ahead, the Nets are set to host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, while the Bulls will take on the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.