National Basketball Association
Chicago 104, Charlotte 91
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, January 5, 2024
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Officials: #86 Brandon Schwab, #52 Scott Twardoski, #61 Courtney Kirkland
Attendance: 21345

Coby White had 22 points and 10 rebounds and DeMar DeRozan added 17 points as the Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets 104-91 on Friday to snap a two-game losing streak.

Chicago led by as many as 21 en route to handing Charlotte its 12th loss in the past 13 games. Friday marked the Hornets' fourth straight loss to the Bulls, including an 11-point defeat in Chicago on Dec. 6.

Starters Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic returned for Chicago after missing time due to injury but began the game on the bench with minutes restrictions.

Sidelined since Nov. 28 with right foot soreness, LaVine sparked the Bulls in the final minute of the first half to help the hosts take control. He converted a long pass from White into a running dunk with 39 seconds to go in the second quarter before connecting on a trey with two seconds left to push the Chicago advantage to six points.

LaVine scored 15 points and Ayo Dosunmu had 12. Vucevic, who missed the past five games with a groin injury, contributed 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Bulls overcame a game-high 28 points from the Hornets' Miles Bridges. Terry Rozier (15 points), Cody Martin (13) and Nick Smith Jr. (10) also finished in double figures for Charlotte, which shot 40.4 percent compared to 54.1 percent for Chicago.

Chicago led 47-41 at halftime behind an 11-point, eight-rebound effort from White and nine points from LaVine.

The Bulls went 50 percent from the floor in the first 24 minutes despite struggling to 3-for-13 shooting from long range. The Hornets were sharper from deep, going 6-for-19, but shot 36.2 percent overall. Bridges was Charlotte's lone player in double figures with 17.

The Hornets closed within 74-69 after three quarters before Vucevic and LaVine helped Chicago start the fourth on an 8-0 run to begin pulling away for good.

Nick Richards grabbed 12 rebounds to help the Hornets to a plus-one advantage under the boards. Andre Drummond had 10 rebounds for the Bulls.

Rozier dished seven assists, one more than DeRozan and White.

Alex Caruso (neck) and Patrick Williams (right ankle soreness) missed the game for Chicago.

The Bulls can clinch the season series from the Hornets with a victory in Charlotte on Monday.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Charlotte   Chicago
Miles Bridges 28 Scoring Coby White 22
Terry Rozier 7 Assists DeMar DeRozan 6
Nick Richards 12 Rebounds Andre Drummond 10
Terry Rozier 4 Free Throws Made DeMar DeRozan 5
Cody Martin 2 Steals DeMar DeRozan 3
Nathan Mensah 1 Blocks Andre Drummond 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Charlotte 91 40.4 10-34 9-12 20 42 1 7 13
Chicago 104 54.1 10-28 14-17 29 41 6 7 15
Upcoming Games
  • Chicago will play their next game on the road against Charlotte. The Bulls have a W/L % of .333 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Charlotte will play their next game at home against Chicago. The Hornets have a W/L % of .125 after a win and .280 after a loss.