Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns: Analysis of post-break OT victory

The Chicago Bulls, without their new acquisitions in action, hosted the Phoenix Suns in their first game after the All-Star break. 

Friday’s game was … interesting, at least in the second half.

I was at work for the first two quarters, so gimme’ a break. It was only a two-point game anyways. But boy, did it take off from there.

OG Bobby Portis received the start tonight at power forward, ahead of Nikola Mirotic. With normal starter Taj Gibson traded, someone had to start at the four. You need five players on the court to play basketball, and technically, Bobby is on the team.

Presumably, Fred Hoiberg was hoping to keep his bench lineup that’s had some success offensively this year, in tact. Portis only logged 16 minutes, but was fairly productive in short time. He scored nine points and grabbed seven boards to go along with them.

The Phoenix Suns held a comfortable lead through most of the third quarter, even extending into double-digits. Luckily for the Bulls, they traded Doug McDermott yesterday, giving Hoiberg a reason to play Denzel Valentine. Valentine pulled the Bulls back with three triples late in the third quarter to bring Chicago within one. One Nikola Mirotic dunk later, and the Bulls had taken the lead. They would took a one-point advantage into the fourth.

Hoiberg rode the bench lineup into the final period, and to his credit, it didn’t not work. They held their own, but allowed the Suns to fight back. By the time Robin Lopez and Jimmy Butler were subbed back in, the deficit was three. Phoenix would extend their lead with a few buckets from Leandro Barbosa, Devin Booker and Alan Williams.

But the Bulls did something unusual and showed some life despite falling behind. Led by Robin Lopez and Dwyane Wade, the Bulls countered with a 11-2 run.

Chaos, and Jimmy Butler, ensued.

Butler, being an all-around clutch bucket-getter, nailed a three from his patented right wing spot, then came back down the floor and hit a contested fadeaway in the short corner.

On the Suns’ final possession, Devin Booker dribbled atop the key, trying to escape Dwyane Wade. When he finally created a bit of space, he pulled up. Wade slapped him on the wrist and was called for the foul. Three shots.

Booker went to the line and sunk the first two freebies, but he missed the second, and everyone received free basketball.

Dwyane and Jimmy did what Dwyane and Jimmy do and completely took over in overtime. They combined to shoot five for seven from the floor, including this monstrous dunk from Wade.

On Friday, we saw the good, the bad and the ugly from our beloved Bulls.

With 25 games to go, Chicago sits in the seventh seed. It seems unlikely that they would fall out of the playoff picture, but we can’t be 100 percent sure until April 13th.

Next: Bulls Blurbs: Post-Deadline aftermath

Until then, may we have watch some fun basketball, enjoy Jimmy Butler’s superstardom and for goodness sake, let’s get a good draft pick.