In the second night of a back-to-back, Dwyane Wade helped lead the Chicago Bulls to a 102-99 win over the Sacramento Kings, in what turned out to be a wild finish at the United Center.
Next: Bulls at Hawks Takeaways: Wade Apology Game
Wade, in a rare NBA moment, took to social media after Chicago’s Friday night loss to tweet his apologies to Bulls fans. Coming off the beat down to the Atlanta Hawks, which saw the Bulls get blown out 35-13 in the first quarter, the team played with a bit more heart against the Kings. Wade’s play, more than his post game comments, helped spark the big win.
The late start at the United Center saw Chicago look shaky at times, but the win once again helps the Bulls creep back closer to .500.
David Joerger’s team came into the contest losers of four straight, having won only two of their last 10. Yet, the Kings are still in contention for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. DeMarcus Cousins, the NBA’s sixth leading scorer, had an amazing effort, scoring 42 and grabbing 14 rebounds. But like many nights, Cousins will draw headlines for something more than his stellar play. Hope you watched the last minute.
Jimmy Butler played well for the Bulls, but the All-Star starter was less consistent and failed to attack the rim. It was Wade who took over Butler’s role of going to the free-throw line all night lone.
Chicago’s bench unit was once again lost throughout most of the game.
Fred Hoiberg continues to search for a playable rotation off the bench. But nothing seems to be working. Nikola Mirotic scored 11, but once again he proved to be the opposite of consistent. Doug McDermott took only five shots and made only one.
Paul Zipser was first man off the pine against the Kings, as Hoiberg tried to shake things up. And it worked. The young German played well in 23 minutes of action.
The Bulls win over the Kings leaves Chicago at 22-23, and now sit alone in eighth place in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
Now for three takeaways from the much needed win.