One like and dislike from the Chicago Bulls loss vs. the Denver Nuggets

The Chicago Bulls lost to the Denver Nuggets 135-102 Wednesday in the United Center. Here’s my one like and dislike from the game.

The Chicago Bulls suffered a 135-102 blowout to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday in the United Center. The Nuggets have now won the season series 2-0.

Tank-o-meter

The Chicago Bulls’ record is 24-47 after the loss. They have the eighth worst record in the league and are 5.5 games back of the worst record in the association.

Fun Fact #1

Forward Bobby Portis scored 15 points for the sixth consecutive game. He’s averaged 16.1 points, 8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game off 46.8 percent shooting from the field and 40.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc since the All-Star break.

Fun Fact #2

The Chicago Bulls allowed Nuggets to shoot 61.4 percent from the field, which is an opponent season-high. The last game the Bulls allowed their opponent to shoot 60 percent or better from the field was in the Bulls’ Nov. 11 loss vs. the San Antonio Spurs.

Dislike: Valentine’s slip up

The Basketball Gods struck again.

With 5:35 left in the first quarter, guard Justin Holiday picked off an errant pass by Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler. Holiday passed the ball ahead to guard/forward Denzel Valentine with nearly 30 feet of emptiness between Valentine and the hoop. Valentine sprinted towards the hoop, the Chicago Bulls’ bench rose to their feet, Valentine cocked the ball back slightly and finished with an awkward two-handed layup to bring the Bulls’ deficit down to three.

If there’s one thing the Basketball Gods don’t forgive, it’s young players finishing open fast break opportunities with weak layups. The Basketball Gods punished the Bulls for Valentine’s error. They helped the Nuggets go on an 18-7 run to close out the quarter and give the Nuggets a 14-point first quarter lead. The Bulls shot 29 percent from beyond the arc for the remainder of the game after shooting the lights out to start the first quarter.

Valentine made up for his mistake when he dunked the ball, the second dunk of his NBA career, with 4:17 left in the third quarter. However, the damage was done. The Bulls were behind by 32 points by that point and virtually had no hope of coming back to win the game.

The Chicago Bulls lost this game for a multitude of reasons. They didn’t play four of their most effective players. Even at full health, the Bulls aren’t nearly as talented as the Nuggets. It also helps that the Nuggets had one of their best offensive showings this season. But, it isn’t a coincidence things started to go downhill for the Bulls after Valentine’s layup.

This is a night I will remember as the Basketball Gods punishing the Chicago Bulls for Valentine’s disappointing fast break finish. But, at least they didn’t punish the Bulls by helping them win. That would’ve been the ultimate punishment.

Like: Felicio showing out

Don’t look now, but center Cristiano Felicio, the player of the game, has picked up his play recently. He’s averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on 67 percent shooting in his last five games. Even though only one of those showings led to a Chicago Bulls’ win, his uptick in production is encouraging.

Felicio has shown off his soft touch with nifty turn around jumpers on the low block. He has displayed better offensive court awareness with improved passing chops. He’s starting to hustle down the court again and finish the fast break with rim-rattling dunks.

Next: Antonio Blakeney finding his spot on the Bulls

Felicio has performed well extremely well recently, given the circumstances.