The Spurs found their toughest test yet in Chicago. The Bulls, last in the East, led by 22 in the second quarter after a historic start from three-point range, but Mitch Johnson's team mounted a second-half comeback led by Victor Wembanyama. It's their tenth straight win, closes a road trip with four wins in four games, and improves their record to 10-2, second only to the Lakers in the West.
https://youtu.be/bp3uDo9q9T0?si=v0gwN1ZnPAwetu40
Bulls Unstoppable from Beyond the Arc
The Bulls started with 10 of 12 from three-point range and won the first quarter 29-41. Midway through the second quarter, their 42-64 lead was the largest of the season. Jalen Smith, who matched his career-high with 23 points, and Nic Claxton, with 17 off the bench, punished a Spurs team without Devin Vassell, who was out with adductor soreness. At halftime, Chicago still led by 14 (56-70).
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An 18-3 Run Changes Everything
The Spurs returned from halftime with renewed defensive intensity. They opened the third quarter with an 18-3 run, forcing five turnovers from the Bulls, and won the quarter 34-19 to enter the fourth quarter with a one-point lead (90-89). The final quarter remained tight until an 11-2 run by the Texans gave them control of the game.
Wembanyama finished with 32 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks, two days after his 40-point performance in Phoenix. Harper, with 18 points, 10 assists and 4 steals, recorded his first double-double, and De'Aaron Fox added 17 points and 9 assists. For the Bulls, rookie Caleb Wilson scored 15 points in 15 minutes before exiting in the third quarter with a right hand injury. Chicago, without Norman Powell, sits at 1-9 and remains winless at home (0-4).