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Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets: 3 Takeaways from Monday’s Game

By Michael Whitlow

Oct 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bulls faced off with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night with their starters seeing more action as the regular season approaches. Here’s a few takeaways from Monday’s game.

The final (true) home preseason game for the Chicago Bulls didn’t bring the debut of Michael Carter-Williams (more on him in a second), but it did bring more minutes for the Bulls regulars against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.

Unfortunately for the Bulls, not only did their three-game preseason win streak end at the hands of the Hornets, their ugly trend of sluggish starts continued with giving up 32 points in the opening quarter.

Things did turn in the second quarter for the Bulls after a 35-point quarter that cut the Hornets lead all the way down to three points at the break.

The game remained close throughout the second half, followed with the scariest words in the entire NBA: preseason overtime.

Charlotte would outscore the Bulls in overtime, 10-6, and would win the game, 108-104.

For this, we’ll list a few takeaways from Monday night’s game; the last one in Chicago that won’t count this year.

More from Bulls News

1. Once again, Robin Lopez shows that he’s going to be a good player for the Bulls

After the Bulls lost their preseason opener to the Milwaukee Bucks, I mentioned that Robin Lopez showed why the Bulls had confidence in him when they acquired him in the Derrick Rose deal.

Like I said on Oct. 3, Robin Lopez isn’t a flashy player. But, on Monday night, he showed some bright flashes of his potential to be a defensive anchor for the Bulls in the middle this season.

Example: This block on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in the first quarter on Monday’s game.

Lopez was called for a foul on the second block attempt, but the fact that he made the effort and has the ability to get back and make a play on both shot attempts is something the Bulls have been lacking in recent times.

What also helped make Lopez look so good on Monday? He scored 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbed five rebounds in the loss.

With Cristiano Felicio — who has also looked good in the preseason — the Bulls actually have some good depth at the center position this season.

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