For most of the first half in Chicago on November 11, the San Antonio Spurs looked like a team whose winning streak was about to end. They trailed 64-42 midway through the second quarter — the Bulls' largest lead of the season — and had already given up 41 points in the first quarter, the most they had allowed in an opening period all year, as Chicago hit 10 of its first 12 three-point attempts.
They won 124-119.
It was San Antonio's tenth consecutive victory and the fourth win of a 4-0 road trip. The Spurs are 10-2.
How the game turned
The third quarter did it. San Antonio opened the period on an 18-3 run, forcing five Chicago turnovers in that stretch, and then shut the game with an 11-2 run in the fourth.
Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points on 13-of-18 shooting, with nine rebounds, five blocks and two steals — two days after a 40-point game against Phoenix. Dylan Harper had 18 points, 10 assists and four steals, and De'Aaron Fox finished with 17 points and nine assists. Seven San Antonio players reached double figures.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson was not inclined to celebrate the half his team had played before the comeback, saying it had shown a lack of "physicality and resistance."
Chicago's collapse
Jalen Smith tied his career high with 23 points for the Bulls and Nic Claxton added 17 off the bench. Rookie Caleb Wilson scored 15 in 15 minutes before leaving in the third quarter with a right hand injury — a recurrence of the kind of problem that cost him time in college.
Chicago has now lost eight straight and sits at 1-9, without a win at home in four tries. A team that builds a 22-point lead and loses by five has a problem that is not about talent on any single possession.
San Antonio hosts Golden State on Friday. Chicago hosts Atlanta the same night.
Reporting from the Associated Press, via WSLS, and the Manila Times.
