Bulls drive past Hornets in Zach LaVine's return

Field Level Media|published: Fri 5th January, 22:34 2024

Jan 5, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) and guard Jevon Carter (5) defend Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) during the first quarter at United Center. credits: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Coby White had 22 points and 10 rebounds and DeMar DeRozan added 17 points as the Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets 104-91 on Friday to snap a two-game losing streak.

Chicago led by as many as 21 en route to handing Charlotte its 12th loss in the past 13 games. Friday marked the Hornets' fourth straight loss to the Bulls, including an 11-point defeat in Chicago on Dec. 6.

Starters Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic returned for Chicago after missing time due to injury but began the game on the bench with minutes restrictions.

Sidelined since Nov. 28 with right foot soreness, LaVine sparked the Bulls in the final minute of the first half to help the hosts take control. He converted a long pass from White into a running dunk with 39 seconds to go in the second quarter before connecting on a trey with two seconds left to push the Chicago advantage to six points.

LaVine scored 15 points and Ayo Dosunmu had 12. Vucevic, who missed the past five games with a groin injury, contributed 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Bulls overcame a game-high 28 points from the Hornets' Miles Bridges. Terry Rozier (15 points), Cody Martin (13) and Nick Smith Jr. (10) also finished in double figures for Charlotte, which shot 40.4 percent compared to 54.1 percent for Chicago.

Chicago led 47-41 at halftime behind an 11-point, eight-rebound effort from White and nine points from LaVine.

The Bulls went 50 percent from the floor in the first 24 minutes despite struggling to 3-for-13 shooting from long range. The Hornets were sharper from deep, going 6-for-19, but shot 36.2 percent overall. Bridges was Charlotte's lone player in double figures with 17.

The Hornets closed within 74-69 after three quarters before Vucevic and LaVine helped Chicago start the fourth on an 8-0 run to begin pulling away for good.

Nick Richards grabbed 12 rebounds to help the Hornets to a plus-three advantage under the boards. Andre Drummond had 10 rebounds for the Bulls.

Rozier dished seven assists, one more than DeRozan and White.

Alex Caruso (neck) and Patrick Williams (right ankle soreness) missed the game for Chicago.

The Bulls can clinch the season series from the Hornets with a victory in Charlotte on Monday.

—Field Level Media

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