Bulls score season-best 136, take down Hawks

Field Level Media|published: Fri 22nd November, 22:47 2024

Nov 22, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) shoots against Atlanta Hawks guard Kobe Bufkin (4) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Zach LaVine scored 26 points and Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White added 20 apiece to spark seven Chicago players in double figures and boost the Bulls to a 136-122 victory against the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Friday in an NBA Cup game.

Nikola Vucevic posted 18 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago. Josh Giddey scored 18 points, while Jalen Smith (13) and Dalen Terry (12) were next.

Chicago reached a season high in points while blocking a season-best 10 shots, led by four from Vucevic, to help offset three Hawks with 20-plus points. The Bulls have won two of three after surrendering at least 143 points in losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets last weekend.

Atlanta's Jalen Johnson had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Trae Young contributed 25 points and 13 assists and Clint Capela amassed 21 points and 11 rebounds.

The Hawks led by four points in the early going but struggled to establish a rhythm on offense. Atlanta shot 45.8 percent overall from the floor compared to 57 percent for the Bulls, but the visitors were hampered by a 10-for-34 effort (29.4 percent) from 3-point range.

Atlanta's Bogdan Bogdanovic connected on 4-of-8 3-point attempts on the way to 16 points. De'Andre Hunter added 14 points for the Hawks.

White dished nine assists for Chicago.

LaVine and Dosunmu sparked a balanced Bulls attack in the early going, scoring 12 points apiece in the first half to help Chicago to a 58-51 lead at the break.

Johnson (13 points) and Capela (11) led the Hawks in the first half. Atlanta trailed by as many as 12 in the final minute of the second quarter but recovered with a 5-0 run entering the break, including a Young layup on a goaltending violation by Dosunmu.

Chicago improved to 1-1 in East Group C of the NBA Cup while Atlanta fell to 2-1. Group play continues on Tuesdays and Fridays through Dec. 3 to determine an eight-team knockout bracket later in the month.

The Bulls have won both matchups with the Hawks so far this season, having recorded a 12-point victory in Atlanta on Nov. 9.

--Field Level Media

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