The Bulls’ Three Straight Losses, and Other News About the NBA
The Clash of Two Styles: Celtics vs. Bulls
On Monday night, the Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 118-106, handing the Bulls their third straight loss. The game was a clash of two different styles, with the Celtics relying on their quick passing and ball movement to create open shots, while the Bulls tried to pound the ball inside to their big men. The Celtics’ style was more effective on this night, as they shot 52.4% from the field compared to the Bulls’ 40.8%.
The Bulls were led by DeMar DeRozan, who had 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Zach LaVine added 22 points and 5 rebounds, and Nikola Vucevic had 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum, who had 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jaylen Brown added 25 points, and Robert Williams III had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
New York’s Defense Shines Again
The New York Knicks continued their strong defensive play on Monday night, holding the Cleveland Cavaliers to just 92 points in a 105-92 win. The Knicks have now held their opponents to under 100 points in four of their last six games, and they are now ranked fourth in the NBA in defensive rating.
The Knicks were led by Jalen Brunson, who had 23 points and 7 assists. RJ Barrett added 22 points, and Mitchell Robinson had 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Cavaliers were led by Darius Garland, who had 26 points and 7 assists. Evan Mobley added 18 points and 9 rebounds.
Free Matas Buzelis
Matas Buzelis, a Lithuanian basketball player who was detained in Russia on espionage charges, was released on Monday after spending nearly two years in prison. Buzelis was arrested in December 2020 and charged with spying for NATO. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison, but his sentence was reduced to two years on appeal.
Buzelis’s release is a victory for human rights activists who have been working to secure his freedom. It is also a sign that Russia is willing to negotiate the release of political prisoners in exchange for concessions from the West.
Other Bulls Bullets
- Ayo Dosunmu returned to the Bulls’ lineup on Monday night after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury. He had 10 points and 5 assists in 22 minutes of action.
- The Bulls are now 2-4 in their last six games. They will face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
- Lonzo Ball is still out with a knee injury. He is expected to miss at least another week.
