What we learned from the Chicago Bulls' deflating defeat to the Phoenix Suns

The Bulls need to get on point early.

© Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls had every shot at claiming a morale-boosting victory over a powerhouse team. In the end, though, they just couldn’t make enough plays down the stretch, falling to the Phoenix Suns in overtime, 116-115. Here are a couple of takeaways from the close match:

Bulls pay for the slow start

Playing at home against a high-quality opponent should have gotten the Bulls amped and hyped up to play, right? Wrong. The Bulls played like they were in a slumber and fell behind by 18, 22-4, five minutes into the game. Had it not been the spark Alex Caruso provided—the All-Defensive team member canned three straight triples in the first—this game would have gotten out of hand early.

The Bulls played catch-up for most of the game, and in the end, it may have played a part in DeMar DeRozan not having enough juice to get the potential game-winning jumper over the outstretched arms of Suns wingman Keita Bates-Diop.

Suns 116, Bulls 115

DeRozan side step going to his right for the win...bounces out

Bulls had another chance to throw a lob for the win, but didn't get a clean look

Caruso was the star of the show: 19 pts, 7/9 FG, 4/5 on 3s, 3 stls, 2 blks, +24

Bulls fall to 3-6 pic.twitter.com/ehCn9upFze

— Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) November 9, 2023

A familiar foe torches the Bulls

With all eyes on Suns All-Stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, it was a familiar foe that torched the Bulls’ defense all game long. Grayson Allen—the man who notoriously injured Alex Caruso’s wrist with a hard foul during their game in January 2022—canned eight three-pointers and finished with a game-high 26 points.

On fire from deep 🔥 https://t.co/UHSjGpiS5C pic.twitter.com/y9VrRfmOlD

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 9, 2023

The Chicago Bulls blew a late lead and lost 116-115 against the Phoenix Suns