10 observations: Ayo Dosunmu’s career-high night leads Bulls past Hawks

10 observations: Ayo Dosunmu’s career-high night leads Bulls past Hawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

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ATLANTA — The Chicago Bulls improved to 2-1 on this four-game trip when they defeated the Atlanta Hawks Monday night at State Farm Arena.

AYO QUOTE HERE

Here are 10 observations:

—Ayo Dosunmu scored a career-high 29 points, tying his previous career-high of 26 points on a poster dunk. After making a career-high five 3-pointers on Saturday in Orlando, Ayo Dosunmu made his first four attempts and matched that career-high with five. It’s the first time in Dosunmu’s young career that he has sank at least four 3-pointers in consecutive games. It also marked the 13th time in the last 14 games that Dosunmu has scored in double figures. He also added seven assists.

“We didn’t start the game great, but I thought Ayo’s pace and tempo in that second quarter really got us back in the game,” coach Billy Donovan said. “He got downhill.”

—Trae Young missed seven of eight shots in the first half and finished 3-for-14 for 19 points. The Bulls did a good job playing physically on Young and crowding his space both on the perimeter and on drives. Young did get to the line 12 times and finished with 14 assists. But once again, Dosunmu guarded Young well.

—DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic had huge games, finishing with 29 points and 24 points and 11 rebounds, respectively. They routinely provided big hoops when needed.

—The game had potentially significant implications on the play-in race. The Hawks entered the night one game behind the Bulls, who had won the first meeting at the United Center on the day after Christmas. Now, the Bulls moved two games ahead and clinched the three-game season series, which gives them the tiebreaker.

—The Bulls played their seventh clutch game over their last eight. They lead the NBA in clutch minutes, defined as any game within five points and 5 minutes or less. They are now 17-13 in clutch games.

—The good news is Torrey Craig was no longer on a minutes limit, logging 27 minutes. The bad news is Craig started for Alex Caruso,…

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Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2024-02-13 03:38:14

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