Bulls Defeat Spurs 128-104 With To Huge Plays From Vucevic And Drummond

By the end of the week, Nikola Vucevic may be playing for a different team. Andre Drummond is in the same boat as the NBA trade deadline draws near. The big guys performed admirably for the Chicago Bulls on Monday night despite significant doubts surrounding their futures. Chicago defeated the Spurs 128-104, handing San Antonio its eighth straight loss. Vucevic scored 22 points and 12 rebounds, Drummond established season highs with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Drummond stated, "I never take this game lightly. I value every second I have spent on that floor. I don't treat those circumstances casually. "I simply try to play as hard as I can and give it all I have when I have that chance," said the player. Zach LaVine made a goal.With their third straight victory, the Bulls matched a season high with to 20 points from Derrick Rose and 19 from DeMar DeRozan. Additionally, Chicago (26-27) earned some vengeance for a defeat at San Antonio in October. When Chicago embarked on a 23-3 run to bury the club with the second-worst record in the Western Conference, the score was knotted at 85 late in the third quarter. The Spurs will match their worst losing streak of the season with two more defeats.

BULLS DOMINATE

Drummond made a case for more playing time with his second double-double in three games after being utilised sparingly. The two-time All-Star scored 10 points during Chicago's decisive run, including back-to-back dunks that exulted the fans, and had three steals in 21 minutes. Vucevic, who the Bulls may trade rather than take the chance of losing as a free agency after this season, claimed that it "says a lot about him." It demonstrates how really professional he is. When you are not on the field or in the rotation, it can be challenging to maintain concentration. That's what he's been doing all season. With a three-point play and step-back jumper in the dying seconds of the third, DeRozan gave the Bulls a five-point lead and launched the decisive run. Chicago despite shooting only 6 of 22 3-pointers, they shot 56.2% and had seven players score in the double digits. In total, the Bulls had won four of their previous five games. Keldon Johnson scored 21 points to lead San Antonio. But the Spurs got off to an all-too-familiar start to a season-high, nine-game trip.

DRAGGING AWAY

After the first quarter, the Bulls had an 11-point lead, but San Antonio was able to tie the score in the second. Before the Bulls stabilised, the Spurs had a four-point lead late in the third. DeRozan's run at the conclusion of the quarter gave the Bulls the impetus they required. In the first minute of the fourth, Coby White kept it rolling by making two free throws and then passing to Andre Drummond for a slam. San Antonio's Doug McDermott made a 3-pointer, but the Bulls outscored the Spurs 38-19 in the period.

TIP-INS

Spurs: San Antonio had defeated Chicago four times in a row. G. Tre Jones (left foot) and Jeremy Sochan (lower back) both missed their second straight game.

Bulls: With 39 points, the Bulls fell one short of their season best. Alex Caruso missed his second consecutive game due to a painful left foot. In Chicago's 114-98 victory over Charlotte on Thursday, the team's top perimeter defender suffered an injury. Billy Donovan, the coach, said that "he's demonstrated some tremendous improvements in a very positive way."