Heaven in Chicago
The Bears winning a football game is one thing.. But COBY WHITE DUNKING ON 7’4 WEMBY??? Euphoria, that’s the word. That’s what the city of Chicago is feeling right now!
Coby White’s nice go-ahead layup with 47 seconds left helped the Bulls topped Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs 114-110 on Monday night. After White's layup gave the Bulls their first lead at 111-110, Devin Vassell threw away the ball for the Spurs. White then drove into the lane and HAMMERED over a late-arriving Wembanyama, delighting the crowd of 18,886 at the United Center. White, who was blocked multiple times by Wemby before this, went in for the finishing blow, and what a blow it was! It was an intense battle between two teams that have been struggling for consistency. Here’s how it went down!
What happened?
Zach Lavine, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White scored a combined 82 points in Monday night’s game, and overall the starters contributed 100 of the teams 114 points. However; their combined efforts were not enough for the majority of the game, as the Spurs held the lead for 47+ minutes before the Bulls’ comeback.
For a big chunk of the game, it was all about Wembanyama. The second-year MVP candidate posted 23 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and eight blocks. He was playing like his usual self, starring on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. With this performance, it seemed like the Spurs were running away with this one.
It was when he left the game the Spurs started to fall, with them being outscored by 11 points without him. Wemby, along with Vassell who recorded 3 blocks and 2 steals, led the way defensively for this young Spurs side.
Outside of Wembanyama’s performance, as well as Chris Paul’s 18 point and 9 assist show, there was little support when it mattered in crunchtime. Despite assisting on 16 of their first 18 makes (and 31 of 44 overall), their offensive execution stalled out over much of the fourth quarter.
Their solid defense could not stop the Bulls winning for the fourth time in five games. It was the Spurs offense that crumbled in the end, shooting 1 for 9 from 3 in the fourth compared to the Bulls 5 for 8. The guard combo of Zach LaVine and Coby White helped Chicago stage a furious comeback spanning the last 2 1⁄2 quarters to melt away a 19-point Spurs advantage and punish them for a poorly played second half and extend its recent misery of poor road finishes.
Up next?
The Bulls are on the road against Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers on Wednesday night. Haliburton is currently questionable as he’s incurred a troubling fresh ailment. Other players who will more than likely be out include the Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu after suffering a right soleus strain, as well as Torrey Craig, who sustained a right leg contusion. The Bulls currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference, while the Pacers sit at sixth. NBA League Pass, Youtube TV, and Fox Sports will be where you can see this Eastern Conference showdown.
Nathan Guynn Jr.
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Writer
