Fourth quarter
At the start of the fourth quarter, LaVine is seen sitting on the sideline. About that time, George was seen resting as well.
Things began to shift in favor of the Clippers.
How, you ask?
The Clippers tied the game at 91-91 just south of the 8-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Around that time, George re-entered the game as his teammate Patrick Patterson missed what could’ve been a free-throw to give the Clippers the lead. LaVine returned to the floor as well.
As the game progressed, the Clippers found themselves up by 2 points over the Bulls with 5:25 remaining in regulation.
The Bulls showed some resiliency by managing to keep the game close, even as things could’ve gone south for the team. And, of course, that would’ve been nothing new. The Bulls have taken a lot of heat all season long for their inability to execute in close games, especially when the score remains close in the fourth quarter.
This did not deter the Bulls so much this time.
LaVine took some contact while completing a tough shot from the corner to give the Bulls a 96-95 lead with a chance to earn another point at the free-throw line; he missed it.
The Clippers found themselves up 100-98 just north of the 3-minute mark. A short time thereafter, the Bulls came up empty the next possession creating a shot clock violation. The Clippers’ lead grew to 5 points during this stretch of time.
Even as it seemed things could’ve gotten out of hand, the Bulls managed to weather the storm. Some credit should go to Carter for stopping the Bulls’ from bleeding by completing a dunk to pull the team within 3 points. As time started to run out, Valentine hit a big shot to tie the game at 106-106. In doing so, he one-upped his season-high scoring 16 points off the bench.
The action all but ended there.
The Bulls managed to get a key defensive stop down the stretch thanks to Dunn, which would prevent the Clippers from taking the lead. A short time later, it became the Clippers’ ball with 34.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter after a play review overturns possession of the ball. The Clippers did as many expected trying to get the ball into the hands of the team’s best player. The problem is George missed what appeared to be the Clippers’ final shot in regulation.
Carter and the Bulls crashed the glass to claim a critical rebound. In a bit of retaliation, the Clippers used a foul to give leaving the Bulls with 5.4 seconds on the clock to operate.
LaVine took the ball to the paint in a strong, determined fashion. In doing so, he was sent to the free-throw line with a chance to complete a three-point play; he scored. The Bulls led 109-106 with 2 second left on the shot clock. Young was reinserted into the game hoping to secure the Bulls’ win after a bit of a stint on the bench.
In what could’ve been a heartbreaker for the Bulls, George gets a good look at the basket only to miss the mark. The Bulls ultimately beat the Clippers 109-106.
Next up, the Bulls will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game starts Monday at 7 p.m. CST.