A History of the TNT Bulls

Apr 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) and Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) react after the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in game two of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 92-81. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) and Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) react after the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in game two of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 92-81. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
11 of 21
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Game 9: Spanking the Spurs

Basketball-Reference box score.

The Bulls snapped a three-game home losing streak with this one, and they did it by taking NBA royalty to task. The Spurs had won four straight going into the game, but they weren’t prepared for what was about to hit them. It was the most lopsided loss of the season for the Spurs. According to Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News, their point total “matched their lowest of the season, and their 37 percent shooting had been lower only once, in a 98-81 loss in Houston on Nov. 6 that previously stood as the worst loss of the season.” The Spurs would go on to score 81 once more against the Jazz later in the season.

More from Pippen Ain't Easy

After entering the locker room with a six-point lead, the Bulls quickly ran up the score to 57-42 with a lot of time left in the third. The victory was never in doubt afterwards. “We just played embarrassing basketball,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “I want my money back.”

Once again, the Bulls would go on to lose four of their next six games, but they were able to hold off the drama and the malaise for one shining moment, a moment that just so happened to have a TNT logo in the bottom-right corner.