By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Countering a slow start to the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season, the Chicago Bulls entered the Play-In zone of the Eastern Conference. The distance from a direct ticket to the Playoffs was reduced to five games after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Frost Bank Center on Saturday.
Montenegrin starting center Nikola Vucevic making a bucket got his side into a safe distance with 32 seconds remaining in the NBA Saturdays contest. “It always feels good to hit a big shot at the end of the game,” he mentioned, “I was really happy I made a shot, but I was more happy I helped us win a game. We came up with a big, big win for us on the road.”
With French counterpart Victor Wembanyama ruled out at the bottom end of a back-to-back, Vucevic posted a double-double, his 20th of the season. The Bulls went up to 19-22, including 3-0 versus the team coached by Gregg Popovich. Wemby started opposite Vucevic in the two previous meetings.
In the third game, they jumped to an 18-point lead midway through the third quarter but fell into a six-point hole in the fourth period. A spirited defensive effort by Alex Caruso included three blocks and two steals. “It is game-changing for us knowing we have him out there,” noted Vucevic.
After the first stop in a three-game road trip, the Bulls continue against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday and the Toronto Raptors on Thursday.
Photo Credit: Getty Images