Bulls Drop 135-105 to Knicks as Wilson Sits Late
New York held Chicago to a 43-point first-quarter deficit while rookie Caleb Wilson finished with five points and was benched for the final period.
By Chloe Martin ·
The Chicago Bulls lost their fourth consecutive game Wednesday night in a 135-105 defeat at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks, the defending NBA champions, built a 43-21 lead in the first quarter. They shot 65.2% from the field during that period, converting 15 of 23 attempts. Jalen Brunson, the Finals MVP, scored 22 points in the opening frame alone.
The Bulls allowed 84 points in the first half, tying the franchise record for most points scored in a half. New York continued its efficiency in the second quarter, holding Chicago to 59% shooting from the field while scoring 41 points. The visiting team finished the night with a 1-7 record.
Josh Giddey finished with 10 points and six assists. He made three of his first four shots. Giddey averages 9.1 points, 7.9 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game this season. He is shooting 26.9% from three-point range. Last season, Giddey averaged 17 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 36.4% from deep. Coach Tiago Splitter said he asked Giddey to be aggressive and play his own game.
Rookie Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 pick, scored five points. Splitter benched Wilson after the third quarter. The coach said Wilson was not doing the right things on offense, defense, or in his body language. "He’s got to get better," Splitter said. Wilson was 20 years old at the time of the game.
Giddey acknowledged the team's inconsistent results. He said the team must bring the right attitude against any opponent, whether they are a champion or a struggling squad. "I think wins will start to come," Giddey said. "We’re headed in the right direction, doing the right things and wins will start to come. Just stick with it."
Splitter has been staggering Giddey with the second unit. The coach noted that the team is taking steps in the right direction, even if the win column does not reflect it yet. The Bulls will face a difficult schedule of games in the coming days. Giddey said the team needs to respect every opponent they face to become competitive.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
