Reasons for
"We just didn't execute down the stretch," spat coach
The Bulls stormed back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit only to follow a familiar script on the final four possessions—poor defense, poor execution, poor decision-making.
After
Following a timeout,
The Bulls were out of timeouts so Gordon dribbled upcourt and tried to pump-fake Willie Green into the air behind the three-point line, then leaned in and attempted a desperation three that rattled in and out.
"Hopefully, we can learn from this," Rose said.
The Bulls are now eight games below .500 for the first time since Jan. 28.
Rose led the Bulls with 20 points and played the entire fourth quarter as Del Negro rode a lineup of Rose,
Thomas, returning from missing four of five games with a hyperextended left knee, drained the second of his three three-pointers to cap a 13-2 run that tied the game at 88-88. The Bulls had fallen badly behind when the 76ers closed the third with a 15-2 run.
The nip-and-tuck game added to the undercurrent of emotion and electricity for the building's final game. Disco music blared—"It felt like Semi-Pro out there," Miller joked—and the sellout crowd of 17,563 was in full throat when Rose challenged Dalembert.
"It wasn't the play that we needed to run," Del Negro said. "They pressured the inbounds pass. We wanted to go high screen-and-roll, which was good for us. Derrick had an opening, thought he could score but we didn't convert."
Rose has been foiled more often than not on last-second attempts but said he isn't frustrated.
"Not at all," the rookie said. "I just missed a shot. I have many a game to hit shots like that."
The Bulls remained tied with the Bucks, but are only a half-game ahead of
"They're No. 1 in fast-break points, and we knew that going in, but we made turnovers and got them in the open court," Del Negro said. "That got us on our heels. We have to be more aggressive."
kcjohnson@tribune.com