For some reason, Sunday afternoon games just haven't been kind to the Bulls this year. After earlier such losses at home to the Heat and Clippers, they had to play the San Antonio Spurs on the road. To the surprise of nobody, this one also went badly in a 116-105 loss.
Although the Bulls trailed almost the entire way, they stayed within striking distance for much of the contest. There were times when the Spurs threatened to completely blow them out, but the Bulls never allowed their hosts to get that comfortable with their lead. Unfortunately, that meant the Spurs didn't let up on that effort, which led to execution, which led to the Bulls' slim chance become no chance at all.
Nobody did more than Tony Parker, who led all scorers with 32 points and in one stretch, scored 15 straight for the Spurs. Kawhi Leonard had 20 and Manu Ginobili, Parker's longtime backcourt partner, totaled 16. Patty Mills (15 points) and Danny Green (11) each knocked down three 3-pointers. Despite all these performances, many were also quick to point out Tim Duncan's first career game with no field goals.
Pau Gasol came to play as he usually does with his latest double-double (23 and 15). Aaron Brooks scored 22, but his performance wasn't as conspicuous. Nikola Mirotic was much louder with 19 and by making all nine of his free throws. Mike Dunleavy hit a pair of threes, which gave him half of his 12-point total.
Special mention is reserved for Nazr Mohammed, who scored eight points in five minutes. Maybe it was because of his return to San Antonio, but he made quite a few athletic plays that made him seem 15 years younger. Suddenly, the kid fresh out of Kentucky was making a cameo appearance. And Duncan had trouble with him to boot.
But the vintage Mohammed couldn't mask the bigger problems the Bulls had: committing 20 turnovers and getting outscored on the fast break 35-9. They couldn't handle the Spurs' full-court or half-court games and the defense was just stifling. How the defending champions are just sixth in the West baffles me. It could be a testament to the conference's strength, but it might also be because Gregg Popovich likes to rest his guys during the regular season.
Even if the Bulls' injured trio were all healthy, this still would have been a tough game. The Spurs have the depth, stars and teamwork unmatched by most, if any teams in the NBA. Maybe the Bulls will still have a chance to compete with the West if they make the Finals. Still, it won't be easy.
The Bulls have to quickly recover from this and play at home Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies. That's another team that's routinely kept the Bulls from much success recently. It doesn't help that they're a contender for the West. Then again, every good team in that conference arguably is, so it's pretty much a "damned no matter who you play situation.
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