Bulls Eliminate Hawks 131-116 From The Play-in round and Go on to Meet Heat
The Chicago Bulls progressed in the play-in round by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 131-116 on Wednesday night, led by a career-high 42 points from Coby White.
Throughout the game, White—whose prior high was 37—went hard at the rim and had supporters singing his name as the Bulls easily defeated the Hawks. Chicago will travel to Miami on Friday in order to face Boston in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs and try to secure the No. 8 seed. Philadelphia defeated the Heat 105-104 on Wednesday.
On Friday, though, the Bulls might be without guard Alex Caruso. Caruso’s availability against Miami is uncertain due to a left ankle strain, according to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. During the victory on Wednesday, Caruso was stepped on by teammate Andre Drummond. Caruso scored six points in 17 minutes total.
With thirty points, Dejounte Murray led Atlanta. However, after losing their last six regular-season games, the Hawks lost once more.
For Chicago, Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. With nine assists and 22 points, DeMar DeRozan finished the game.
The Bulls shot 56.8% from the field, and Ayo Dosunmu added 19 points after sitting out the final four regular-season games due to a bruised right quadricep.
Clint Capela and Trae Young of Atlanta each scored 22 points. Young had 10 assists but six turnovers in the final 23 games of the regular season due to a damaged ligament in his left pinkie. Capla pulled down 17 rebounds. Adding 21 points was Bogdan Bogdanovic.
With 4:59 remaining in the third quarter, Vucevic made a 3-pointer to put the Bulls ahead 88-85 and start a 17-2 run.
When White scored with a deft flip around Young and fed a cutting Javonte Green for a slam, the crowd erupted. After Dalen Terry blocked a shot, White scored on a layup to make it 105-87 with 1:27 remaining in the third.
After a 16-2 run to end the first quarter, highlighted by a dunk by Dalen Terry following a steal by Caruso, the Bulls lead 40–22. Young made five mistakes at the time.
The Hawks regained momentum fast, opening the second quarter with 14 straight points. Midway through the first, a spinning Dosunmu blocked De’Andre Hunter, igniting a thunderous cheer from the crowd, and DeRozan broke for a three-point play, giving the Bulls their lead back at 58-44.
In the final minute of the half, the Hawks made one more push and were within three points. However, Caruso responded to a Capela alley-oop dunk with a three, and Chicago went into the locker room ahead 73-67.
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