What we learned from the Chicago Bulls fourth-quarter letdown to the Los Angeles Clippers

Originally posted on FanNation All Bulls
By Stephen Beslic | Last updated 3/10/24

The Chicago Bulls couldn’t finish their four-game road trip unscathed, falling to the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-102. Here are two key takeaways from the match that turned in the fourth quarter when the Bulls couldn’t buy a bucket.

A couple of high-paid players in street clothes

While it was pleasant to see Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball on the bench to support their teammates, fans could not help but lament how much of the team’s salary cap is tied to these two players. LaVine, who couldn’t finish the season to undergo foot surgery, is being paid a whopping $40 million this season.

Ball, on the other hand, is on the books for $20 million, but he hasn’t played since 2022, when he tore the meniscus in his knee. He has also undergone three knee surgeries to correct subsequent knee issues.

Zach LaVine returning to the Bulls bench pic.twitter.com/tuSeAipzYm
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) March 9, 2024

No moral victories

A 3-1 mark on a tough road trip against Western Conference opponents is nothing to scoff at. However, the Bulls know they let go of the rope in this game and failed to get a win that would have allowed them to gain ground on getting a higher seed in the postseason. Ayo Dosunmu was particularly bummed they couldn’t pull off the victory against a loaded Clippers squad that played all its key players, including its three All-Stars.

“It’s a bummer because we had an opportunity to go 4-0, but we didn’t do that. We gotta just build from this, keep the momentum up,” Dosunmu said.

“Our confidence is high because we’re not leaving here with a moral victory. We’re upset. We understand we can’t get it back, but we were just as good enough to be right there and win this game.”

Paul George hits a 3 and Ayo Dosunmu hits the halftime buzzer beater

(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/wsG3MfhG7q
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 9, 2024