Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

The Chicago Bulls end road trip with a stinker in Denver

By Erick Montoya

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on January 17, 2019 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on January 17, 2019 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After going 0-4 to start their road trip, the Chicago Bulls looked to end their 5-game road trip on a high note in the Mile High City. Nikola Jokic and Co. had other plans as they defeated Chicago 135-105.

The keys to the game for the Chicago Bulls according to NBC Sports Chicago and Bulls commentator, Stacey King prior to tip-off was to play good transition defense, have good offensive possessions and start off strong in each of the first and third quarters of play. Looking at the end result, the Chicago Bulls didn’t accomplish any of those as their record drops to 10-35 on the season – good for the 2nd worst record in the NBA.

On the bright side with every loss the Bulls tally up, it increases their chances of landing Duke freshman sensation, Zion Williamson. While the Bulls and Nuggets game was going on, Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman was in attendance at the Eastern Illinois and Murray State game where potential top lottery pick, Ja Morant put on a show scoring a team-high 27 points to go with 9 assists and this nasty one-handed slam in traffic.

However, I digress and bring you back to the stinker that was the Chicago Bulls. Nothing seemed to go right for the Bulls in this one. Already missing their 7th overall pick, Wendell Carter Jr. due to a sprained thumb, Bobby Portis received the start in his place. Portis put up a decent stat line as he finished with a double-double (10 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists). The Finnisher, Lauri Markkanen led the team with 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field and 5-of-10 from three. Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine didn’t look like themselves out there on the court as both of them struggled from the field.

The Chicago Bulls bench was led by the duo of Jabari Parker (15 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 18 minutes) and Robin Lopez (17 points on 8-of-10 shooting in 19 minutes). This is surprising given both players’ names have been coming up in trade discussions as of late. It’s great to see Jabari Parker back in the rotation and playing well in the three games since he’s been back. Hopefully, it stays that way until Chicago can find a trading partner for him.

As for the veteran, Robin Lopez, Chicago may hold on to him for now due to Carter’s injury just for depth purposes, but it would be great to see Robin go to a contender rather than play on a team that’s rebuilding. He’s a good locker room guy and deserves to play deep into the postseason.

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The Bulls – who were down 14 at halftime – got outscored 19-6 in the first five minutes of the third quarter and Denver never looked back. Here’s a fun fact: the Denver Nuggets are now 25-1 when leading at halftime; their only loss coming to the Los Angeles Lakers back in October.

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