Wade, Bulls do just enough to subdue Cousins
Two teams in desperate need of a victory created a passionate finish on Saturday at the United Center.
A controversial call on a Dwyane Wade missed dunk provided the go-ahead free throw with 14 seconds left and the Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings 102-99, snapping a two-game losing streak.
As the game ended, Kings star DeMarcus Cousins screamed and pointed at referees. After he left the floor, the garbage can closest to the visiting locker room was on its side, with trash strewed across the floor. Cousins had a monster game, with 42 points and 14 rebounds.
Here's what made him so angry. With the score tied, Wade (30 points) stole the ball from Kings guard Garrett Temple, went in for a breakaway and missed the dunk. Play continued for a few seconds before everyone realized a foul was called on Cousins.
“I thought he probably nudged me a bit,” Wade said in the locker room. “I think I took off a little too far (from the rim). Hey. sometimes you get the call, sometimes you don't. ... The last couple of minutes, it was a desperate team trying to win a ballgame and doing whatever it takes.”
The Kings couldn't believe the foul call and replays showed only a slight tap on the back from Cousins as Wade approached the rim. He hit 1 free throw to put the Bulls ahead 100-99 with 14 seconds left.
Sacramento went to Cousins on the last possession. As he drove into the post and put a shoulder into Taj Gibson, Wade sneaked over and stole the ball from behind. Michael Carter-Williams' breakaway dunk ended the scoring.
After a rough loss in Atlanta on Friday, Hoiberg made one major change in the rotation. Rookie Paul Zipser was the first player off the bench in both halves, played down the stretch and he rewarded Hoiberg's decision by scoring 13 points, going 3 for 6 from 3-point land.
Zipser is listed at 6-8 and roughly the same weight as McDermott, but the second-round pick from Germany seems a little bigger and more athletic. He's a guy who may be able to swing from small to power forward on most nights and have a chance to guard just about anyone. Those are some of the reasons why he's been on the rise.
“The thing with Paul, he's a two-way player,” Hoiberg said. “I've been really impressed with how he's battled defensively. Rises up with confidence on the other end and can put the ball on the floor. He's a really confident, solid basketball player and he deserves these minutes.”
Hoiberg started the second quarter with five reserves, which was a new twist. He usually likes to have four subs plus Wade, although Wade checked in for Zipser two minutes into the quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Hoiberg tried Wade, Zipser, Doug McDermott, Nikola Mirotic and Cristiano Felicio, leaving Rajon Rondo on the sideline.
Bobby Portis, Denzel Valentine and Jerian Grant — three guys who contributed to the 36-point fourth quarter in Atlanta — didn't play
The Bulls led by 2 heading into the fourth quarter, but Sacramento opened with an 11-3 run and led 84-78 after DeMarcus Cousins' lay up.
Wade and Butler led a comeback and the Bulls finally took the lead at 91-89 on Butler's 3-pointer with 4:13 left. A few minutes later, Butler got a steal, went in on the fast break, but was chased down and had his layup blocked by Cousins. Wade tipped in the rebound, was fouled and finished the 3-point play to put the Bulls up 95-91.
But Cousins wasn't finished. The big man buried consecutive 3-point baskets to send the Kings back ahead. He broke a 97-97 tie with a lane drive and running bank shot with 52.4 seconds left. Robin Lopez' tip in tied it on the next trip.
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