What happened: The Chicago Bulls The balanced output guided Chicago to a 29-17 lead after the first 12 minutes.

Why it matters: Chicago entered the matchup at 2-9 through 11 games in the 2026-27 season, holding the 14th seed in the Eastern Conference. The strong start provides momentum following a 125-117 result against Atlanta that halted an earlier slide for the Bulls.

What to watch: Chicago looks to maintain its offensive rhythm and preserve the double-digit margin as play moves into the second quarter.