The Chicago Bulls did what seemed like the unthinkable Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers by beating one of the league’s hottest teams in a 109-106 thriller.
Here’s a look at what the Chicago Bulls did to earn the win at home over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Before the action got underway at the United Center, things didn’t look perfect for either team.
Bulls’ big man Daniel Gafford was seen wearing street clothes, despite not being listed as inactive ahead of the game. Among the Bulls stars listed inactive included Otto Porter Jr., Chandler Hutchison and Cristiano Felicio.
Out of action for the Clippers was Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Beverly, Lou Williams and JaMychal Green.
With so many stars out of the lineup for both teams, the game could’ve been viewed as a bit of a battle between reserves.
For one thing, the Clippers have made a name for themselves all season long as a dynamic group that is able to give their starters the necessary lift to keep games close or even put their opponents out of reach so much it’s nearly impossible to stage a comeback.
At the same time, the Bulls’ reserves aren’t to be taken lightly, either. Led by point guard Kris Dunn, the Bulls have what some analysts rank as a top 10 defense.
You read that, right?
The Bulls are among the league’s best in defense thanks, in part, to the team’s reserves.
Let it be clear, this is not a knock against the Bulls or the Clippers. The stars for both teams found ways to shine during the game just like the reserves had.
How, you ask?
More on that later.
Without further ado, it’s best to take a look at what happened quarter by quarter during Saturday night’s game between the Bulls and the Clippers.