DENVER _ Kris Dunn didn't need a team film session to know he played poorly his last game.
But that's when the guard, who has said becoming a more vocal leader is on his to-do list, decided to acknowledge his poor play, which bothered him spiritually more than statistically. So Dunn said something to his teammates, trying to show accountability.
"I don't really worry about the turnovers," Dunn said. "It's more about who I am as a player. I play aggressive. And I feel like I wasn't aggressive enough. At the defensive end, I wouldn't say I was lazy. But I wasn't aggressive enough.
"I'm an energy guy. I didn't have that that (Lakers) game. I feel like (my teammates) know I didn't have it. As a leader, I have to let them know that's on me. I didn't bring the best of my abilities. As a professional, you can't do that. You have to bring it each game. That's what I'm learning."
The Bulls are trying to learn that too. It's not working.
The Nuggets dealt them a 135-105 loss Thursday night, their ninth consecutive defeat overall and 12th straight at the Pepsi Center. The Bulls haven't won in Denver since Feb. 8, 2006, when somebody named Darius Songaila scored 21 points in the victory.
Bobby Portis started at center for rookie Wendell Carter Jr., whose sprained left thumb sidelined him for the first time this season.
The Nuggets were coming off a blowout home loss to the Warriors but still were tied for the fewest home losses in the league. Gary Harris returned from a hamstring injury for his first action since Jan. 7, but they played without Will Barton, who didn't attend for personal reasons.
An entertaining first quarter featured Lauri Markkanen scoring 15 points, coach Jim Boylen losing his tie when Torrey Craig knocked him down on the sideline while pursuing an errant pass and Boylen subbing out both Dunn and Zach LaVine midway through.
Boylen tweaked his rotation, playing Wayne Selden ahead of Shaquille Harrison and even dusting off Antonio Blakeney. Jabari Parker logged reserve minutes for the third straight game.
"I still want to improve on my game, regardless," said Parker, who scored 15 points. "I kept perspective (while benched) and just knew my abilities and my intangibles. I trusted in those."
Markkanen had his first 20-point game since Jan. 4 by halftime, but LaVine missed all five shots with two turnovers in a scoreless first half. Markkanen finished with 27 points, LaVine eight and Dunn six.
Jamal Murray's 25 points led seven Nuggets in double figures.
Dunn's stand-up moment wasn't just an apology for poor play. It was an attempt at accountability.
Despite the habitual losing, Dunn said he's not alone in that department.
"You know, I think everybody when they feel like they're not bringing the best that they can each game, there are guys who speak up about it," Dunn said. "That's a good thing, to recognize you're not playing to the best of your ability. It lets the team know that you do care. And that's what my message was to the team. It shows that I do care and (Thursday), I'll bring that energy."
Boylen often talks about owning "Bulls" across the team's chest.
"I've said this all along: We have a very willing group to coach. We have guys that care. We have guys that it bothers them when they don't play well," Boylen said. "(Dunn) felt indebted to the team that he played poorly. We're trying to get guys to own the success of the team. And he took it on the chest that he has to play better for us to be successful. That's what you do. You don't just brush a poor performance aside if you want to be a professional. It's got to hurt you some. And it hurt him. And he wanted the team to know it hurt him.
"It didn't surprise me because I know his heart. That's a culture thing. Out of pain sometimes comes some good."
