The Chicago Bulls came into the game having lost the last five out of six games, looking to get back on track. They came in once again without Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Derrick Rose. The Indiana Pacers came in with a two-game losing streak after having a seven-game winning streak.
The Pacers were in a three-way tie with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics for the seventh seed in the East before the night. However, the Pacers were triumphed by the Bulls at the United Center thanks to Pau Gasol’s double-double.
The Bulls and Pacers were neck and neck through the first 19 minutes of the game. Though, the Bulls went on a 10-0 run midway through the second period capped off by Mike Dunleavy, who finished the game with 21 points and five rebounds to go with five three-pointers.
The Bulls took a 10-point halftime lead, but the Pacers, who are a desperate and hungry team, battled back in the second half. They momentarily cut the deficit to three, but that would be the closest they would get the rest of the night.
Chicago’s rookie forward Nikola Mirotic had himself a strong second half to help his team put away the Pacers. The 24-year old had a game-high 25 points, including nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks on 8 of 15 shooting. His play has been crucial for the short-handed Bulls. Despite being a rookie, Mirotic is playing with the intellect of a veteran player, as he continues to provide major production off the bench.
Gasol finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds on 7 of 13 shooting. He has been carrying the team with Butler and Rose out and continues to be efficient. Joakim Noah had another all-around performance, notching six points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Noah has led the team in assists from the center spot since Rose went down with his knee injury.
Indiana couldn’t find much offense tonight, shooting 39.5 percent from the field. They were led by Solomon Hill’s 13 points and six rebounds. Roy Hibbert added 12 points, while Luis Scola, George Hill, and C.J. Miles scored 10 points apiece.
The Pacers were also having difficulties keeping the Bulls off the glass, as they were out-rebounded, 52-38.
This loss scoots the Pacers down to the ninth seed, still tied with the Boston Celtics, who lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Miami Heat have taken sole possession of the seventh seed after beating the Portland Trail Blazers earlier in the night.
The race for eighth is heating up in the Eastern Conference, and the one question for the Indiana Pacers is whether Paul George will decide to make a return before seasons end. Nonetheless, it’s now become a three-team race for two playoff spots.
The Pacers will now head to Cleveland to take on the red-hot Cavaliers on Friday night, while the Chicago Bulls will host the Toronto Raptors on Friday night as well.