by Murat Karul
In a thrilling Thursday night matchup, DeMar DeRozan led the Chicago Bulls to a 118-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring an impressive 30 points. Andre Drummond contributed significantly with 21 points and 13 rebounds, showcasing the Bulls’ dominance in the paint. The duo of Drummond and Nikola Vucevic, who added 20 points and 10 rebounds, played together for extended periods, creating a challenging matchup for the Grizzlies.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan praised the effective pairing of Drummond and Vucevic, emphasizing the scouting difficulties it poses for opponents. The unconventional lineup, focused on inside dominance, contributed to the Bulls out-rebounding Memphis 46-34.
Despite a strong performance from Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 28 points for the Grizzlies, and GG Jackson adding 27, Memphis couldn’t maintain their fourth-quarter lead. The Bulls capitalized on a 19-6 run to secure the win.
GG Jackson’s noteworthy performance off the bench earned praise from Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins, highlighting his diversified scoring abilities. The Grizzlies, facing challenges with injuries and a makeshift lineup, couldn’t hold on to the lead in the final quarter.
Looking ahead, the Bulls will continue their four-game trip with a matchup against the Orlando Magic on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will face the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday as they strive to bounce back from their seventh straight loss.
Notably, Memphis made a trade earlier Thursday, sending forward David Roddy to the Suns. The Grizzlies, who have experimented with 31 starting lineups this season, welcomed back Jaren Jackson after he missed the previous two games with right hip soreness. Despite the challenges, the team remains focused on regaining momentum as the season progresses.
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