CHICAGO (AP) — Coach Billy Donovan chose to focus more on where the Chicago Bulls need to improve than a win streak that’s their longest in more than a decade.
The Bulls didn’t look bad in beating the Washington Wizards 130-122 Friday night for their ninth straight win.
Zach LaVine scored 27 points. Coby White added 21 and the Bulls matched their longest win streak since the 2010-11 team won nine in a row to finish the regular season. They also had an easier time in this one after winning last week at Washington on DeMar DeRozan’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer, grabbing the lead late in the third quarter and remaining in control down the stretch.
He praised the effort and resilience his team is showing this season. The Bulls have been hit hard by COVID-19, with players and Donovan getting sidelined. They lead the Eastern Conference and are setting themselves up to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Lonzo Ball and rookie Ayo Dosunmu each scored 18 points. Ball hit six of Chicago’s 15 3-pointers, and White buried four.
Dosunmu, who had his number retired at Illinois on Thursday, and White led a huge effort by the bench. Chicago’s reserves outscored Washington’s 52-29 and shot a combined 20 of 25.
Donovan earned his 300th NBA win over seven seasons with Chicago and Oklahoma City. And the Bulls remained unbeaten since a loss at Miami on Dec. 11.
Bradley Beal led Washington with 26 points. Kyle Kuzma had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Spencer Dinwiddie added 18 points.
The Wizards shot 51.1% but committed 15 turnovers in losing for the third time in four games. They also fell below .500 for the first time this season at 19-20.