----- The Bulls outscored the Portland Trail Blazers 70-51 in the second half leading to a 129-121 victory Saturday night at United Center in Chicago.
Blazers run out of gas in Chicago.
Playing their third game in four nights proved costly for the Trail Blazers. Chicago outscored Portland 70-51 in the second half leading to a 129-121 victory Saturday night at United Center.
Zach LaVine led Chicago with 36 points on 11-of-18 shooting including 5-of-10 from three-point range.
Nikola Vucevic added 23 points and 11 rebounds as Chicago won for the third time in four games, erasing a 17-point deficit in the second half. Ayo Dosunmu had 13 points.
“We were able to get in transition, get some easy baskets,” LaVine said. “Then when they started doubling, it was just picking it out where the rotation was.”
Damian Lillard scored a game-high 40 points and Anfernee Simons added 27 points five assists.
“I think it is a factor. You start to feel some fatigue," Lillard said. “You have some mistakes and some breakdowns and stuff like that, and I think that's probably something that comes from being out there back to back nights.”
The Bulls shot 60% from the field and finished with 32 assists.
The Blazers led 80-63 with 6:38 left in the third quarter, but the Bulls responded with a 24-4 run to gain control of the game.
Portland trailed by one with 8:07 left, but Chicago put it away with a 12-0 run.
Up Next- The Portland Trail Blazers return home for a five-game homestand starting Monday night at Moda Center against the Milwaukee Bucks. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- 3rd game in 4 nights, team ran out of gas. Solid 2-1 road trip.