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Bulls pay for a slow start, lose to Clippers 126-111

The Bulls lost to the James Harden-less Clippers for the second time in six days.

Stephen Beslic

© Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
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The Chicago Bulls started slow and suffered their third loss in four games after falling to the Los Angeles Clippers, 111-126, on Thursday night.

The Bulls tried to rally from a 20-point third-quarter deficit, moving within single digits in the fourth period, but simply couldn't pull through and lost to the Clippers for the second time in six days. Chicago also bowed to L.A., 102-112, on Saturday, losing their season-series, 0-2.

Chicago was coming off a 132-129 overtime win in Indiana the other night but couldn't sustain the momentum and was quick to fall behind, 26-37. The Clippers still held a double-digit cushion at the half, 64-53.

Failed comeback attempt

The lead increased to 90-70 at the four-minute mark of the third before the Bulls moved within 80-92. 

DeMar DeRozan hit two three-pointers in a 10-6 run to start the fourth that brought Chicago within 90-98. The Clippers, however, had an answer for every Bulls' run, restoring another double-digit cushion, 113-99, with 5:27 left. 

Chicago couldn't make another serious run as the Clippers put the game away by cruising to a 123-102 lead with just 2:42 left.

After scoring 46 points in the win over the Pacers, DeRozan had 21 on 6-of-16 from the field. Nikola Vucevic added 19 points and Alex Caruso had 17 for the Bulls, who dropped to 32-35.

Andre Drummond pitched in 15 points, Alex Caruso and Jevon Carter each had 12 for the Bulls, who played without Coby White (sore right hip).

George, Leonard too much for Chicago

The Clippers played without James Harden (strained left shoulder) but Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were there to deliver the goods for L.A. as they finished with 28 and 27 points, respectively.

George was 7-for-12 from the field and also had seven assists and five rebounds. Leonard, who exited Tuesday's loss to Minnesota due to back spasms, was equally efficient from the field as he shot 12-for-17.

Norman Powell chipped in 18 points, Bones Hyland contributed 17 and Terance Mann had 12 as the Clippers improved to 42-23.

What we learned from the Chicago Bulls' gutsy overtime win over the Indiana Pacers

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Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

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