Cam Thomas credits the Chicago Bulls defense for ending his scoring streak

The Bulls' defense is truly elite.

© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets' up-and-coming guard Cam Thomas didn't play too many minutes last season due to his inexperience and the team's perimeter depth. However, when the opportunity presented itself, like last February, the LSU product put up historic point totals.

In a sizzling hot stretch from February 4th to 7th, Thomas became the youngest player to score at least 40 points in three straight games. He began his onslaught with a 44-point outburst against the Washington Wizards, followed by a 47-point outing against the Los Angeles Clippers. Next was a 43-point burst versus the Phoenix Suns. The Chicago Bulls came next as Thomas looked to extend his record-setting scoring streak. However, the Bulls' defense had other things in mind.

Rough shooting night

That game saw Thomas' historic scoring streak come to a screeching halt. Though he still managed to score 20 points in a 116-105 Nets win, Thomas made just three of his 16 attempts from the field. He did his damage from the free-throw line, where he connected on all 13 attempts.

"I feel like the Bulls played good defense on me," Thomas said.

With All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso hounding him and young forward Patrick Williams providing equally-tough resistance, the Bulls were able to contain Thomas in a way few defenses were able to.

"When I had three 40-point games, that fourth game, I only had 20. I was struggling a bit, I feel like they played good defense on me that game. Patrick Williams, Alex Caruso, they played pretty solid defense on me that game, so it is what it is," Thomas added.

Elite defense

While the Bulls' offense was not at its expected level, given the presence of three All-Stars in their starting five, their defense was quietly among the league's best in 2022-2023. Chicago finished fifth in defensive rating at 111.5. It was that kind of stifling defense that helped the Bulls make a late-season charge that allowed them to break into the NBA Play-in Tournament and come within a game of advancing to the postseason.