The Bulls were doing what they could to tank this game ahead of time, with Josh Giddey and Nick Richards late additions to a growing Bulls injury report that also includes Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith, Anfernee Simons, and Zach Collins.
Thanks to a defense-free 126-110 road loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, our 26-38 Bulls remain in the ninth slot in Tankathon's reverse standings, behind the 23-39 Memphis Grizzlies and the 21-43 Dallas Mavericks.
CHICAGO - Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 11 rebounds for his NBA-leading 39th double-double and the New York Knicks outlasted the sliding Chicago Bulls 105-99 on Sunday night for their second straight victory. Towns scored six straight points - on a 3-pointer, a layup and free throw - after Chicago took a 95-94 lead with 3:52 left in regulation on Matas Buzelis' 3.
Giddey has been in the midst of his best season as a pro, averaging 18.6 points while slashing .462/.366/.775, along with 8.8 assists, 8.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 34 healthy bouts (31 starts). His health probably stopped him from having at least a chance at cracking the Eastern Conference coaches' reserves list for this year's surprisingly watchable All-Star Game.
As the No. 11 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls have already successfully(?) dropped out of the play-in tournament bracket. Chicago could struggle to catch the Memphis Grizzlies (20-33), Dallas Mavericks (19-35), Utah Jazz (18-38), Brooklyn Nets (15-38), Indiana Pacers (15-40), New Orleans Pelicans (15-41), Washington Wizards (14-39), or DeMar DeRozan's Sacramento Kings (12-44), meaning at best the Bulls will have the ninth-best shot at a top pick.
