The Chicago Bulls (5-5) took their 2-game win streak into TD Garden on Friday night to face the Boston Celtics and lost 123-119. After beating the Celtics 120-102 on October 24th, the regular-season series is now 1-1.
Despite guard DeMar DeRozan erupting for a season-high 46 points (13-23 from the field, 20-22 from the free-throw line), Chicago could not complete the comeback. Center Nikola Vucevic scored an efficient 24 points while pulling down 12 rebounds while guard Zach LaVine had a decent game of 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Chicago shot 51.8% from the field and 39.3% from beyond the arc, but they allowed Boston forward Jayson Tatum (36 points) and guard Malcolm Brogdon (25 points) to make shots when it mattered the most.
Here are the player grades for Friday’s game:
DeMar DeRozan: A+
DeMar DeRozan was unstoppable against Boston. Not only did he score a season-high in points (46), he almost reached his career-high in free-throws (22, career-high is 25). DeRozan showed off his patented mid-range game all night and no defender could stop him without fouling him.
DeMar is a master.@DeMar_DeRozan | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/topSymHfGW
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 5, 2022
Zach LaVine: C
LaVine had an odd game tonight. It wasn’t that he was struggling to shoot the ball (6-13 from the field), but it looked like he was staying out of DeRozan’s way while he was on an extended roll. LaVine chipped in when he could by making plays (3 assists, 2 steals), but it also looked like his knee was bothering him at times.
Zach's so smooth with it.@ZachLaVine | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/HlFesTY3pW
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 5, 2022
Nikola Vucevic: B+
Vucevic had one of his best offensive games of this young season, but he let down the Bulls by letting the Celtics get anything they wanted at the rim. Vucevic isn’t known as a rim protector, but Boston had 52 points in the paint and this Jaylen Brown dunk says it all:
JB UNLEASHED 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/AqzWEtGQcp
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 5, 2022
Patrick Williams: C+
Williams didn’t do much in the box score (7 points, 5 rebounds), but he was a disruptor on defense. The Bulls have a lot invested in Williams (4th overall pick in 2020 draft), but as long as Williams is healthy, he looks to be a solid rotational player at the least.
Ayo Dosunmu: B
Dosunmu had a solid all-around game in supporting DeRozan and LaVine. Dosunmu also was able to push the pace when DeRozan was out of the game and was able to drive to the basket at will.
Alex Caruso: C
Caruso didn’t have his best game on either ends of the floor. At times, it looks like he was out-matched by the likes of Brogdon Marcus Smart and Caruso wasn’t able to provide much outside shooting or defense.
Just like we drew it up 💪@ACFresh21 | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/6LR5sfARf5
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 5, 2022
Derrick Jones Jr.: D
Williams played 15 minutes tonight, but for most of the game, you couldn’t tell that he was out there. He certainly hustled when he was on the floor, but it looks like his athleticism wasn’t able to make an impact in tonights game.
Goran Dragic: C-
Dragic provided a bit of a spark in the first half with his veteran savvy and ability to push the pace. However, Dragic missing 7 of 9 shots in this game did not provide the Bulls the bench scoring needed to match Boston.
Javonte Green: C-
Green is arguably Chicago’s best defender and he was a positive when on the floor tonight. This game required scoring to keep up with Boston and unfortunately, Green was unable to provide that.
Still fighting.@2Xtremebounce | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/D2Cg9lJQV2
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 5, 2022
