Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers: 3 Takeaways, Notes from Monday’s Win

By Michael Whitlow

Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Dwyane Wade, SG, Chicago Bulls
Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) reacts after dunking against the Indiana Pacers in the final seconds of the game during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 90-85. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

1. He may not be as quick anymore, but The Flash can still make an impact

Dwyane Wade’s numbers without a day of rest in between games are quite awful this season. (To be fair, he’s 34 years old with a ton of miles on his legs, but you get the idea.)

In five games played in the second game of a back-to-back set this season, Wade is shooting just 33.3 percent from the field on 14.4 shot attempts from the field. You don’t need a calculator to tell you that those numbers are bad.

However on Monday night, Wade followed up his stellar offensive performance against the San Antonio Spurs on Christmas Day with a 21-point, five-assist showing, including two huge plays late to help the Bulls seal the deal against their division rivals from Indiana.

With just over two minutes left and the Bulls clinging to a 80-78 lead, Wade drilled a tough fadeaway from the right corner to give the Bulls a tiny four-point cushion in the final 2:30.

Then, with the Bulls leading by three inside of the final 30 seconds, Wade sealed the game with the play of the game: a steal of a bad Aaron Brooks (remember that guy?) pass and a slam to ice the game away.

It wasn’t the most stellar performance overall from the Bulls, but when Jimmy Butler shoots 3-of-12 from the field in 40 minutes of action and the Bulls shoot under 40 percent as a team, sometimes a veteran and a future Hall of Famer can get you out of trouble.

Home/Bulls News