Spurs overcome 24-PT deficit, topple Bulls 117-113.

Zach LaVine tried to hold on for the Bulls win.

Things started out well, after a nice pick and pop play by Murray & Mozgov for the big man's finesse jumper, but the Bulls tore up the interior breaking out to a huge 39-22 advantage after the first quarter. The Spurs began to shrink the floor, waking up on defense and luckily getting shots to fall from deep, enough to win the second quarter 29-21 and the final half also, 33-26 & 33-27 respectively.
 
Overcoming a twenty-four point hole was no easy feat as the Bulls desperately clung to the hot potato lead whenever possible, but it was a drive by Avery Bradley and an up-and-under scoop layup by Dejounte Murray that gave the Spurs a five-point yield. Brandon Ingram slammed the ball back home after a close miss by Jarrett Allen, wowing the crowd on the put-back dunk.

The Spurs came together as a collective force, with every player showcasing individual value for the squad, as Dragan Bender splashed in the long ball, Jarrett Allen got a sweet block on Lauri Markkanen, Dejounte Murray came out firing in the third quarter with fearless drives to the bucket, and Brandon Ingram poured in 31 points hitting a clutch 3PTer in the final minute. Ingram also had 6 rebounds and 3 steals, going 12-22.

Behind him, Taurean Prince carried the Spurs in the second quarter, finishing with 20 points on 7-10 and received a breakaway jam late for the 115-108 lead. Dragan Bender notched 12 points, 9 rebounds with 1 steal (2-3 3PT), stroke confident behind the arc. Murray had just 10 points, but dished 9 assists with 2 steals. Avery Bradley had 9 points, Jarrett Allen with 8 points, 8 rebounds & 3 steals. P.J. Tucker hit two big-time three balls during the second quarter spark run. Jeremy Lin, JR Smith, Derrick White & Joe Harris combined for 15 points.

In the demoralizing home loss, the Bulls were led by Otto Porter's 26 points (10-17, 4-10 3PT) and Zach LaVine had 21 points (7-15, 3-9 3PT). Thomas Satoransky had 16 points, with Khris Dunn looking good early with 12 points & 14 assists. Former Spur Thaddeus Young scored 12 points, getting comfortable on his new team after leaving the Orlando Magic this summer.

The comeback was epitomized by a contrast of halves, with the Spurs toppling the interior 54-42, also winning the fast break 17-15 and scoring 41% from long range with only six turnovers.