CHICAGO, IL – The Charlotte Hornets fell to the Chicago Bulls, 104-91, in the first of a home-and-home matchup that will conclude Monday in Charlotte. With the loss, the Hornets round out the six-game west coast trip with a 1-5 record – the only win coming Tuesday night in Sacramento.
Chicago stretched the lead to double digits late in the third, but the Hornets went on an 11-4 run to end the frame, bringing the score to 74-69. Ayo Dosunmu and DeMar DeRozan led the charge in the opening minutes with a 15-4 run to give the Bulls a little separation. The Bulls led by as many as 21 before letting up on the gas in the game’s final minutes.
Bridges led the Hornets in scoring with 28 points on 12/18 shooting, including knocking down 3/7 from beyond the arc. He also added five rebounds and two assists.
Worst of the Night: Transition defense.
Steve Clifford has expressed his frustration with this team’s unwillingness to run the floor since the beginning of the season. Tonight, the Hornets gave up 25 fast break points, many of which could
have been prevented.
Steve Clifford nearly emptied the entire bench tonight, playing eleven of the twelve available players. The only player that did not check into the game was former first-round draft pick, James Bouknight.
