The Chicago Bulls took the floor of the United Center with a clear sense of urgency Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks. The Bulls finished the first quarter of the NBA Play-In matchup with a blistering 40 points. Despite a few motivating runs by the Hawks, the Bulls never surrendered the lead after the opening frame.
In the first half, Ayo Dosunmu provided the on-brand defense that fans have become accustomed to when the Bulls face the Hawks. Dosunmu was effective with his screen navigation and diligent in chasing the ball to force this Dejounte Murray turnover.
Dosunmu Stop vs. ATL 1Q
— NBA Clips by Mo (@MoBballFilm) April 18, 2024
ESPN pic.twitter.com/3SHB5kRh4A
In the second quarter, Dosunmu's help defense ignited an electric fast-break dunk by DeMar DeRozan.
Dosunmu stop to transition 2PM 2Q
— NBA Clips by Mo (@MoBballFilm) April 18, 2024
ESPN pic.twitter.com/2PgkJbUksw
Coby White, a strong Most Improved Player candidate, was nothing short of dazzling in the second half as he hit threes, found assists, and attacked the rim with flair.
COBY SPIN CYCLE ️@CobyWhite | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/9ym97RJbUW
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 18, 2024
White finished the game with a career-high 42 points plus nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Nikola Vucevic finished the night with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double. DeRozan fed his stat sheet across the board with 22 points, nine assists, six rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Deebo letting it fly from distance.@DeMar_DeRozan | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/D7WjoXNObz
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 18, 2024
Wednesday's Play-In Game ultimately delivered the Hawks to their offseason. However, the Hawks didn't totally capitulate against the Bulls.
Atlanta shot 53% from the field (24-45) in the first half and faced only a six-point deficit going into the locker room. Dejounte Murray was a key offensive catalyst for the Hawks as he hit a series of tough mid-range shots and a pair of three-pointers to finish the first half with 23 points on 57% shooting from the field (8-15).
DJ knocks down another jumper and-1
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 18, 2024
He has 14 so far pic.twitter.com/x2BeKKbAGa
The Hawks gave a COMPETITIVE effort to start the third quarter and kept the deficit within single digits for most of the frame. However, the Bulls held firm and finally regained their momentum at the 4:59 minute mark via Vucevic's three-point make that snowballed into an 18-point lead by the end of the third quarter.
The Bulls effectively won the game after three quarters and gave the rabid United Center crowd a fourth-quarter victory lap to cheer on.
COBY FROM GENEVA.@CobyWhite | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/Ykhke3cl5c
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 18, 2024
After eliminating the Hawks from 2024 NBA playoff contention, the Bulls advance in the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament to face the Miami Heat on Friday.
If the Bulls win in South Beach, they'll clinch the Eastern Conference's eighth seed in the 2024 NBA playoffs. But if they lose, their season will be over. Wednesday's tip-off is at 6:00 PM CT and the game will air nationally on ESPN.
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