The Chicago Bulls needed something to feel good about as they faced the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. They lost Caleb Wilson to a broken hand and fell into an eight-game losing streak.
But the Bulls turned their pain into power and beat the Hawks in overtime, 125-117. Veteran guard Norman Powell, who came off back spasms, attributed one key element to their victory, per K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Sports Network.
“Everybody was focused,” Powell said.
Powell started and finished with a game-high 33 points, shooting 12-for-19 from the field. Additionally, Powell was 4-for-8 from the 3-point line. But Powell wasn't alone.
Josh Giddey, Jalen Smith, and Isaac Okoro each finished with 15 points. In overtime, Smith was taken out after a hard fall in which he appeared to injure his hand. Giddey finished with a triple-double, with 14 assists and 10 rebounds. Additionally, Patrick Williams came off the bench and added 13 points. Buddy Hield, who surpassed Kyle Lowry on the 3-point list, finished with 12 points.
Matas Buzelis walked away with 11 points and six rebounds.
Moreover, Buzelis and Giddey combined for six turnovers, a far cry from the 13 they accumulated collectively against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
As a result, the Bulls are now 2-9 and are about to embark on a road trip. On Saturday, they will play the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, and then the Brooklyn Nets next Wednesday.
Their next two home games will be next Friday, November 20, against the Washington Wizards, followed by the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, November 22.