The Bulls came into Tuesday night’s matchup with the Clippers riding a bit of momentum, but what they did at the United Center wasn’t just about riding a wave - it was about making a statement. Behind a scorching three-point barrage and a balanced offensive attack, Chicago dismantled Los Angeles, 138-110, tying a franchise record with 25 made threes and snapping the Clippers’ six-game win streak in emphatic fashion.
Let’s start with the headliner: Coby White. The fourth-year guard has been on a tear lately, and this game was another showcase of his evolution.
White drilled six of his 10 attempts from deep and finished with 27 points, but it wasn’t just the volume - it was the timing. He set the tone early, kept the pressure on throughout, and put the finishing touches on the blowout with a personal heat check in the fourth quarter, hitting five of his six threes in the final frame before checking out to a well-earned ovation.
White wasn’t alone in the long-range assault. Matas Buzelis continues to look more comfortable with each game, and he poured in 21 points, including four threes, while showing off his smooth shooting stroke and confidence in big moments.
Ayo Dosunmu added 18 points and also hit four from beyond the arc, including three in a second-quarter flurry that helped blow the game open. Kevin Huerter joined the party with four triples of his own, finishing with 14 points.
The Bulls’ second quarter was where the game flipped on its head. After trailing by five at the end of the first, Chicago erupted for 45 points in the second quarter alone - shooting a blistering 70.8% from the field and 8-of-14 from three.
Dosunmu went a perfect 4-of-4 in the quarter for 11 points, while Buzelis chipped in 10, including a pair of threes. The Clippers, meanwhile, couldn’t buy a bucket, missing all six of their three-point attempts and shooting just 34.6% from the floor in the frame.
By halftime, the Bulls had flipped a five-point deficit into a 21-point lead, heading into the break up 70-49. And while the Clippers made a brief push in the third - thanks largely to John Collins, who scored 23 points and knocked down three triples in the quarter - Chicago quickly slammed the door. A 13-0 run midway through the third restored the Bulls’ 20-point cushion, and from there, the rout was on.
Nikola Vucevic quietly did his job with 19 points and eight boards, while Tre Jones flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 15 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds - the kind of steady, floor-general performance that helped keep the Bulls humming on both ends.
For the Clippers, James Harden led the team with 24 points, but it was a grind. He shot just 9-of-25 from the field and never quite found a rhythm. The early 8-0 run by L.A. looked promising, but once the Bulls’ shooters got hot, the Clippers simply couldn’t keep up.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the game was out of reach. Chicago led by 19, and the Clippers pulled the plug on any comeback hopes.
That gave White the green light to let it fly, and he didn’t disappoint. After knocking down three straight triples, he exited to a standing ovation, his job more than done.
Even in the final minute, the Bulls kept the crowd buzzing. Dalen Terry and Jevon Carter each hit a three in the closing seconds, giving Chicago its 24th and 25th makes from deep - tying the franchise record and putting a bow on one of the most explosive shooting nights in team history.
At 21-22, the Bulls have now won three of their last four and sit ninth in the Eastern Conference. With eight games left before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, the front office will be watching closely. This stretch could determine whether Chicago doubles down on its current core or looks to shake things up.
Next up: a tough road test in Minnesota, the first of three straight against teams with winning records. But if Tuesday night was any indication, this Bulls team might be finding its stride at just the right time.