Leonard Miller's 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting gave Chicago a 15-point cushion, but Denver outscored the Bulls 40-26 in the third quarter and held on with free throws down the stretch for a 133-128 win. The preseason loss leaves Chicago 0-0 with three games left before the October 21 opener at Toronto.
The quarter that flipped it. Chicago led 68-59 at half and pushed it to 73-62 early in the third on an 8-0 run. Denver answered by winning the quarter 40-26, turning that cushion into a 94-99 deficit heading into the fourth. The Bulls never got the lead back.
A collapse in the final seconds. Drew Peterson's pullup three with the clock under 20 seconds cut it to 128-131, but Jalen Bridges fouled Cam Whitmore on the ensuing possession, and Whitmore made both to make it 128-133. Peterson then lost the ball out of bounds inside the final ten seconds, closing the door.
Who closed, and who didn't. Chicago's closing five for the final five minutes was Peterson, Bridges, Leonard Miller, Noa Essengue, Patrick Williams. By the last possession, Jordan Hawkins and Orlando Robinson had replaced Miller and Essengue — and both finished on the wrong side of the plus-minus column.
Miller's breakout off the reserve unit. Leonard Miller scored 26 on 11-of-14 shooting with four threes in 22 minutes, the best scoring night of his young career. He still finished minus-2, a reminder that Denver's reserves answered everything Chicago's did.
Wilson's complete line, costly mistakes. Caleb Wilson put together 17 points, four boards and five assists on 6-of-10 shooting, directing the offense whenever he was on the floor. Five turnovers in 25 minutes were the flip side — more giveaways than anyone else Chicago played.
Hield's efficient return. Buddy Hield made 4 of 7 shots and 4 of 6 from three for 15 points in 19 minutes, the cleanest shooting night on either roster. He also finished minus-2, more proof the result turned on stretches, not individual performances.
Jones and Smith were the exceptions. Tre Jones went plus-6 in just 10 minutes and Jalen Smith was plus-3 in 14; Matas Buzelis was the only other Bulls player to avoid a losing plus-minus, finishing even in 23 minutes. Jordan Hawkins was minus-8 in 10 minutes, Josh Giddey minus-7 in 24, and Orlando Robinson minus-6 in 12.
What was the final score of the Bulls-Nuggets preseason game?
Denver won 133-128 on October 11 after Chicago had led by 15 points in the third quarter.
Does the loss affect the Bulls' record?
No. It was a preseason game, so Chicago stays 0-0 heading into the October 21 regular-season opener at Toronto.
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