second time this year chicago bulls Won three games in a row.
The Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 152-150 to improve to 13-15 and continue their pursuit of eternal play-in glory.
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According to data from “Basketball-Reference”, the Bulls scored 83 points in the first half, setting a first-half scoring record in team history. The Bulls’ offense was full of firepower. They sent out 21 assists, made 12 of 24 three-pointers, and shot 61% from the field.
While the offense is hot, the defense is not. The Eagles gave up 73 points in the first half, allowing them to stay in the game and build off the momentum in the third quarter to cut the lead from ten to one entering the fourth quarter.
Credit the Bulls for their fourth-quarter performance as they targeted Trae Young mercilessly. Whether it is Coby White or Josh GiddyThe Bulls look for Young in screens to switch defenses, allowing them to get into the paint, get to the basket, the free throw line, or shoot 3-pointers.
According to Basketball-Reference, the 152 points were the second-most points scored by the Bulls in the regular season.
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In addition to the Bulls’ three-point shooting percentage (48%), the Hawks’ three-point shooting percentage is even higher (49%). But that’s thanks to the Bulls taking more free throws (Bulls 39, Hawks 32) and more offensive rebounds (Bulls 11, Hawks 6).
Matas Buzelis He followed up his 24 points in Cleveland with 27 points on 10-for-11 shooting. He started the game 9-for-9 from the field and 6-for-6 from 3-point range. He set a season-high 28 points and scored more than 20 points in back-to-back games for the first time in his young career. Despite Buzelis’s scoring outburst, he sat out the final 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Billy Donovan Look for a more defense-oriented lineup featuring Isaac Okoro, Nikola Vucevic, Tre Jones, Guiddy and White. After Okoro fouled out and left the game, Buzelis returned to the game with 41.5 seconds left.
Depth was once again crucial for the Bulls, with nine different players scoring in double figures.
Next: The Bulls will face Atlanta again on Tuesday for Game 2 of baseball action.
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Listen to CHGO’s Bulls postgame live stream:
Why does it feel like everything is perfect or nothing for the Bulls?
The Bulls have won five consecutive games this season, experienced five consecutive losses and seven consecutive losses, with a record of 4 wins and 14 losses, and now have three consecutive victories over the Eagles.
Perhaps oversimplifying, the Bulls’ and opponents’ three-point shooting percentages illustrate this point well.
In October, the Bulls shot 40.2% from the field, while their opponents shot 30.1%. The Bulls achieved a record of 5 wins and 0 losses. In November, the Bulls shot 36.4% from the field and their opponents shot 37.3%. The Bulls had a record of 4 wins and 10 losses. So far in December, the Bulls are shooting 32% from the field while their opponents are shooting 39.2%. The Bulls are 1-5. Now, over the past three wins, the Bulls have a winning percentage of 42.6%, while their opponents have a winning percentage of 39.2%.
Screenshot December 21, 2025 5.11.53 pm
Play or miss the league, yes. But the Bulls have no control over whether the ball goes in or not. They have a lot of work to do in terms of generating the right shots with pace, tempo and downhill offense. If they can do that more consistently, maybe they’ll start throwing more pitches on a consistent basis, too.
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— Will Gottlieb
Is that Bulls vs. Hawks or the modern NBA All-Star Game? Same difference. The Bulls and Hawks really took their usual “let’s not play any defense” pregame protocol to a whole new level, didn’t they?
Speaking of scoring…MATAS. It’s terrible. Buzelis. As of this writing, with 8:24 left in the fourth quarter, the youngster is 9-10 from the field, including 6-7 from downtown. A couple of dunks and a great roll call brought the ball to the basket. No mid-range shot yet, and some of us would still like to see him create mid-range shots for himself. I’ll continue to be patient, but I’ll be happy to play in any game where Buzelis’ offensive potential shines.
Another game — the third in a row — had 34 or more team assists. It was also their third straight game in which at least seven players scored in double figures. With some injured players returning, has the Bulls’ offensive balance been restored? Maybe. After playing against the Cavaliers without Evan Mobley and the Hawks without defense, can they continue to show that as they face better defenses? We’ll find out.
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Oh, and most importantly: F Packers forever. Bear. this. F. Next.
— Matt Pike
Have you ever been to a Bears game? ! ? ! ? ! ? LFG! ! ! ! ! !
The Bulls and Hawks always play crazy games, and this one is no exception.
At this point, defense is optional.
The Bulls are off to a hot start. There were 14 assists in the first quarter alone. Those kids, it was crazy.
Bear.
Buzelis. Man, it feels good to watch someone cry like that. Definitely makes me hopeful for his future.
Buzelis looks comfortable, but he’s not the only one. The Bulls are great offensively as a team. They can’t miss it. But they couldn’t stop the Eagles (who were no better than them), so the game stayed close.
Bear. Ben Johnson. Caleb Williams. Bear.
— big dave
