© Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
3 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls' gritty win over the Utah Jazz
The Chicago Bulls got their 9th win of the season on Monday night after they outlasted the Utah Jazz 114-107. It was a hard-earned victory by the Bulls that saw numerous players step up to erase a double-digit deficit in the second half. Here are three standout takeaways from the Bulls' gritty win over the Jazz.
Bulls' bench dominates Jazz counterparts
For all the credit Chicago's starters get for leading the way to victory, the Bulls' bench players provided a much-needed spark. From Coby White hitting clutch shots to Andre Drummond holding down the paint in his limited time on the floor, the Bulls' bench outscored Utah's 39-18.
Drummond had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds in 14 minutes of play. On the other hand, White had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a backbreaking three that put the Bulls up by nine, 113-104, with over a minute remaining in the game.
Improvements in crunchtime
The win also raised the Bulls' record in "clutch" games to 2-8. Chicago started the season 0-7 in those games that the NBA defines as games in which the score margin is within five points in the final five minutes.
DeMar DeRozan once again lived up to his reputation as "The King of the Fourth" as he scored 10 points in the last 12 minutes to help the Bulls snatch the win in hostile territory. He finished the game with 26 points on 9-of-20 from the field.
Dismal three-point defense
With games against the Phoenix Suns and the reigning NBA champions Golden State Warriors looming, the Bulls must shore up their perimeter defense to come away victorious in the two contests.
The Jazz was able to shoot 19-for-49 (38.8%) from beyond the arc and outscore the Bulls by 39 in that department; a stat line that does not bode well for Chicago heading into their next matchups.
