Down an MVP, Chicago Bulls Fall to the Oklahoma City Thunder 92-78
Rarely does a 14-point victory suggest a game was closer than it actually was, but that was certainly the case in the Thunder's 92-78 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
The Bulls' Derrick Rose sat out due to a groin injury, and Chicago failed to take home its eighth consecutive road victory, looking outclassed in every facet of the game by a hungry Oklahoma City squad.
The Thunder, meanwhile, picked up its sixth straight win and continued to look like a contender hitting its groove. Westbrook led Oklahoma City with 27 points, five assists, three boards and four steals. Durant wasn't far behind with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
The two superstars shot a combined 21-34, and neither would let the Bulls get back in the game, especially in a dominant third quarter in which the Thunder outscored Chicago 31-12.
The Bulls struggled to find an offensive flow in the crucial second and third quarters. Starters Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and C.J. Watson combined for only 17 points on a ragged 7-28 shooting night. Meanwhile, Chicago's post players just couldn't get off many shots—Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson each took only eight field goal attempts.
Oklahoma City will look to stay hot while hosting the Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow night, and the beat-up Bulls attempt to rebound at home against the Houston Rockets.
