Lamarcus Aldridge tallied a double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs overcame a slow start en route to an 87-77 win over the Chicago Bulls Saturday at United Center. Aldridge made 12-of-24 shots, handed out three assists, and had two blocks. Rudy Gay added 12 points while Pau Gasol had 10 points as the Spurs improved to 2-0.
Danny Green added nine points and Dejounte Murray had eight points, 10 rebounds, and six assists for San Antonio. After making eight three-pointers in their 107-99 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opener, the Spurs made just 1-of-12 attempts from beyond the arc.
Overall, the Spurs made 38-of-93 attempts from the field for a 40.9-percent clip. The Spurs also failed to capitalize on the Bulls’ 20 turnovers, as they only had four points off their errors. The Spurs played their second game without Kawhi Leonard, who's still recovering from a quad injury.
Center Robin Lopez scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds, Justin Holiday added 15 points, and Lauri Markkanen and Jerian Grant tallied 13 points apiece for the depleted Bulls, who dropped to 0-2. Markkanen hauled down 12 rebounds while Lopez grabbed seven of his own for the Bulls, who played without injured Nikola Mirotic and the suspended Bobby Portis. The Bulls made just 31-of-82 attempts from the floor but their eight three-point shots kept them in the game early.
The Bulls also turned the Spurs’ 11 turnovers into 23 points.
Spurs pull away in 2nd half
After leading by 21-19 at the end of the first quarter, the Bulls kept the game close in the second quarter. Back-to-back layups by Gay and a dunk by Manu Ginobili put the Spurs ahead by 40-35 before settling for a 41-38 advantage at the half.
The Spurs pulled away midway through the third, taking a 57-49 lead after a three-pointer by Green. Minutes later, a layup by Aldridge put the Spurs ahead by 12, 63-51. In the fourth, the Spurs extended their lead to 17 points after a short jumper by Aldridge and cruised to win from there.
Portis publicly apologizes to Mirotic
Before the game, Portis publicly apologized to Mirotic for punching him in an altercation during practice, resulting in a concussion and two broken bones in his teammate’s face. Mirotic’s injury needs surgery that could sideline him indefinitely. The Bulls have suspended Portis eight games for his action. Per the Chicago Tribune, Portis apologized to Mirotic, adding that he already sent him some text messages but never got a reply from his teammate. Portis said he’s focused on ironing things out with Mirotic even though he expects him to take legal action.
