CHICAGO _ The first response came from Fred Hoiberg.
Two days after a defense-optional loss to the Warriors, the Bulls' coach changed his lineup for Wednesday night's matchup with the powerful Nuggets, who dealt the Warriors their lone loss.
In came Jabari Parker. Out went Chandler Hutchison.
The next response came from the officiating crew, who whistled Parker for two fouls in the first 3 minutes, 14 seconds of the Bulls' 108-107 loss to the Nuggets in overtime at the United Center.
In came Hutchison. Out went Parker.
There were other responses.
Ryan Arcidiacono flipped momentum with a third-quarter stretch that featured hustle, hardwood dives and three steals. Antonio Blakeney, who finished with 15 points in 14 minutes, drove the length of the floor to beat the third-quarter buzzer with a left-handed dunk. Zach LaVine posted his eighth straight game of at least 20 points with 28.
But the most important response came from Paul Millsap, who overpowered Justin Holiday to put back Nikola Jokic's missed jumper with 0.1 seconds left. The Nuggets had 17 offensive rebounds and a 23-8 advantage in second-chance points.
The loss negated Wendell Carter Jr's night. Asserting himself at both ends for the third straight game, the rookie finished with a season-high 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals while playing mostly strong defense against the matchup nightmare that is Jokic.
"Every game, I'm just trying to focus on my assignment, do whatever I can to help the team," Carter said. "I feel like I'm getting more comfortable, especially at the offensive end."
The Bulls were looking for responses of all kinds after allowing the Warriors to score 92 first-half points and Klay Thompson to set an NBA record with 14 3-pointers Monday. Both Tuesday and pregame Wednesday, buzzwords like edge and grit got tossed around like Halloween candy.
"You learn a lot about yourselves after you hit a really tough adverse stretch," Hoiberg said. "We have to respond with effort, play together for 48 minutes."
Or, as the case may be, for 53.
The Bulls almost prevailed in regulation. Parker's running 27-footer at the buzzer fell just short.
Parker didn't much take advantage of his first start as a Bull in the injury-ravaged team's fourth different lineup in eight games. He failed to score in the first half, getting yanked once for early foul trouble and a second time when Hoiberg angrily substituted Hutchison for him after a missed defensive assignment. He also airballed a wide-open 3-pointer in the second half.
Parker finished with six points on 3-for-10 shooting in 35 minutes. Pregame, Hoiberg said he made the change because of the Nuggets' physical frontcourt and to seek a better start.
With Hutchison finishing with eight points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes, who knows what the lineup will be on Friday for the Pacers. Arcidiacono also closed over starter Cameron Payne, who had several unforced turnovers.
"I just try to bring energy off the bench to give our team a boost," Arcidiacono said.
Holiday had nudged the Bulls ahead 107-106 on a 3-pointer with 1 minute, 26 seconds left in overtime as the Bulls shot 16-for-34 from that distance. Holiday sank five alone.
Carter preserved the lead with his third block, stuffing Malik Beasley emphatically with 36 seconds left. But LaVine missed a jumper, setting up the Nuggets' final possession.
"It starts in transition. You have to get back," Hoiberg said. "We had it against Atlanta on the road. We hung in there when they went on a run. We got it done with defense. So we're capable. We have it in us."
The Bulls still need to find more of a response.
