The Chicago Bulls know all about playing without their superstar players and finding ways to win. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so after making a comeback after being down by as much as 14 points in the fourth quarter, losing 114-109 to the Denver Nuggets Tuesday night.
In another massive blow to a team playing without one of their most emotional players in Joakim Noah, point guard Derrick Rose left the game after re-injuring his hamstring in the first half of the game. Rose played 10 minutes and went 1-for-4, scoring only two points. Rose had already missed eight games this season.
The Bulls never recovered, trailing the Nuggets the whole game.
Forward Pau Gasol had a double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Gasol picked up the slack in the paint while Noah sat out with a left knee and left eye injury. Swingman Jimmy Butler led all scorers with 32 points, including key costless throws that put the Bulls within three points of the Nuggets.
The Bulls had a lackluster performance in the first half, but played with more heart in the second. But for every basket the Bulls made, the Nuggets answered back. For every missed field goal by either team, the Nuggets rebounded, squashing the Bulls’ chances at coming out with a win.
With Noah out of the lineup, rookie Cameron Bairstow made his first start in the NBA, but he was unable to make up for the loss of Noah.
Kirk Hinrich, who was back from a chest injury after missing the last two games, played 31 minutes and went 4-for-10 from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range.
Ty Lawson led the Nuggets with 20 points and Kenneth Faried had nine rebounds for Denver.
Meanwhile, the Bulls fall to 9-6 on the season. They play the Boston Celtics next on Friday afternoon at TD Garden. The Nuggets improve to 7-7 and take on the Phoenix Suns next.