CHICAGO _ In case you didn't hear, Nikola Mirotic is back.
With every win, the forward's resurgence _ and comedy routine _ continues.
"Should I make another prediction?" Mirotic said, playfully, before the Bulls' fourth straight victory Wednesday night at the United Center.
That's four games and four victories since Mirotic returned after missing 23 games with facial fractures and a concussion from Bobby Portis' practice punch. Mirotic's play is harming the Bulls' ping-pong ball chances but still sublime to witness.
"I'm just trying to play my game, make the simple play," Mirotic said. "I'm playing with a lot of confidence."
It shows. Drawing his second straight start for the injured Lauri Markkanen, Mirotic scored 29 points as the Bulls downed the Jazz, 103-100.
"Niko's back," Kris Dunn joked in the oncourt postgame interview as to what has changed for the Bulls.
Dunn continued his strong play despite not shooting well. He finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Despite being 4 for 16 at the time, he sank consecutive jumpers late, including a step-back 22-footer with 22 seconds left for a 100-96 Bulls' lead.
"We're playing together," Dunn said.
Following a Rudy Gobert layup, Dunn split two free throws with 14.4 seconds left for a three-point lead. But Rodney Hood came up short on a good look from 3-point range out of a Jazz timeout and David Nwaba split two free throws with 10.5 seconds left.
Donovan Mitchell, who justified his Rookie-of-the-Year-if-not-for-Ben-Simmons buzz, raced downcourt for a layup with 4.5 seconds left. Justin Holiday gave the Jazz life by splitting two free throws with 3.6 seconds left. The Bulls went 13 for 20 from the line.
But Mitchell's running heave from halfcourt banked just long. Mitchell finished with 32 points.
Dunn switched onto Mitchell late in the second half. Dunn's relentless, physical style at least made Mitchell work and disrupted other plays.
Meanwhile, Mirotic was doing it all, sinking one pull-up 3-pointer in transition after his steal and following with a circus scoop shoot as he lost control of the ball in the paint.
The Jazz opened a six-game trip on Saturday in Milwaukee, forcing a decision whether to spend the three off days in Chicago or return to Salt Lake City. Coach Quin Snyder opted for the latter. He joked pregame that if the Jazz lost, the choice to use their own practice facility and have players sleep in their own beds would be the wrong one.
Mirotic _ and the Bulls _ got the last laugh.
