Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

The Chicago Bulls have lost 11 straight games in Denver

By Daniel Greenberg

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 30: The Chicago Bulls huddle prior to taking on the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on November 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 30: The Chicago Bulls huddle prior to taking on the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on November 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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In a crazy back and forth game, The Chicago Bulls lose 111-110 to the Denver Nuggets.

At halftime the Chicago Bulls were leading 68-60. The Bulls scored a lot of points in the first half, but their defense struggled. Eight of the Bulls first 13 points came in the paint. They had 34 points in the paint. The team had 39 first quarter points which was the most they’ve scored in an opening quarter since 2012.

Kris Dunn had a strong first half with 11 points and 5 assists. He also had 0 turnovers. Four Bulls starters were in double figures, led by Justin Holiday’s 14 points. The Bulls bench had 16 points. Robin Lopez was six for six from the field with 12 points, and five rebounds.

In the second half the Bulls and the Nuggets went back and forth. The Nuggets would go on a mini run, and then the Bulls would do the same. Bulls had 56 points in the paint, and 30 points off the bench. Kris Dunn finished the game with 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Robin Lopez and Lauri Markkanen each had 20 points and Justin Holiday had 16. The Bulls had an 18 point lead but couldn’t sustain it. Bulls had a hard time making free throws as they were 13 for 21 from the line.

What happened in the last minute of the game?

Justin Holiday had a really rough last minute of the game. Lauri Markkanen hit a big time shot with 53 seconds left in the game to extend the Bulls lead to 108-105.

Justin Holiday on the other end fouled Barton while he was shooting a three. The game was tied at 108. Bulls called a timeout with 45 seconds left. They tried to go for 2-for-1 play, but it didn’t work that well. Justin Holiday shot a quick three and was way off. I don’t mind the Bulls going for a 2-for-1 play but at least give it to Dunn or Markkanen. It was just a bad and quick shot from Holiday.

Bulls were down 109-108 with 19 seconds left in the game. Kris Dunn had a strong layup to give the Bulls a one point lead. Will Barton had a great game for the Nuggets. He finished the game with 37 points and also made a reverse layup with three seconds left in the game to win it for the Nuggets. Barton drove right past Holiday for the layup, and Denzel Valentine shot a desperation three as time expired.

Bulls had two timeouts left in the last three minutes of the game. Head coach Fred Hoiberg used one of his timeouts with 45 seconds left in the game and the other one with 19 seconds left. The team didn’t have one after Barton made a layup to give the Nuggets the lead with 3 seconds left.

The Bulls had no idea what to do. You got to have a timeout left in that situation. The whole team just stood there. The Bulls continue to get better, but they also continue to make the same mistakes. Justin Holiday definitely knows how to tank. Bulls have lost seven straight games. Bulls have lost seven straight games and are now 3-17 this season.

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