Bulls
Nuggets Outlast Bulls' 75-Point Bench Night, Win 133-128
The Denver Nuggets beat the Chicago Bulls 133-128 in a preseason game at Ball Arena, surviving a 41-point Chicago second quarter and a 26-point bench night from Leonard Miller by answering with a 40-point third quarter and a 32-for-46 night at the free-throw line. Both teams are 0-0 in preseason, so the result carries no standings weight, but it offered an early look at each roster's depth.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 9 d ago01The story of the nightBack-and-forth quarters decide it lateThe Nuggets led by two after the first quarter, 29-27, but Chicago answered with a 41-point second to grab a 68-59…
The Nuggets led by two after the first quarter, 29-27, but Chicago answered with a 41-point second to grab a 68-59 lead at the half. Denver's defense tightened in the third, matching with a 40-point quarter of its own to swing back in front, 99-94, outscoring the Bulls 40-26 in that frame. Both teams put up 34 in the fourth, and Denver's 32-for-46 night at the free-throw line, against just 13-for-18 for Chicago, was enough to hold off the Bulls for the 133-128 final.
02Miller's bench outburst, Gordon and Jokic lead DenverLeonard Miller was the best player on the floor, scoring 26 points off Chicago's bench on 11-for-14 shooting,…
Leonard Miller was the best player on the floor, scoring 26 points off Chicago's bench on 11-for-14 shooting, including 4-for-6 from three. Caleb Wilson added 17 points and five assists in the Bulls' starting lineup. For Denver, Aaron Gordon paced all starters with 25 points on 9-for-12 shooting, with Nikola Jokic just behind at 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in under 27 minutes. Cameron Johnson shot 5-for-7, including 4-for-5 from three, for 15 points, and Jamal Murray added 13 points and five assists.
03Won at the line and on the glassDenver won this one at the free-throw line and on the boards.
Denver won this one at the free-throw line and on the boards. The Nuggets shot 32-for-46 from the stripe to Chicago's 13-for-18, a 19-make edge that covered for a quiet night from three (13-for-32). Denver also won the rebounding battle 61-47 and outscored Chicago in the paint, 52-48. Chicago's edge came off the bench and off turnovers: the Bulls' reserves outscored Denver's, 75-56, led by Miller, and Chicago turned 15 Nuggets turnovers into 21 points, more than Denver's 14 points off 18 Bulls turnovers. It wasn't enough to offset the free-throw gap.
04What it means for each teamBoth teams are 0-0 in preseason, so nothing here touches the standings.
Both teams are 0-0 in preseason, so nothing here touches the standings. For Chicago, the night was about development: Miller's 26 points off the bench and steady showings from Buzelis (13 points) and Wilson (17 points, five assists) are the kind of returns the Bulls want from their young core. For Denver, Jokic's near triple-double and Gordon's efficient 25 points show the top of the rotation is ready, while Strawther's 13 points and Holmes's 11 give the bench some depth heading into the regular season.
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