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By Sam Smith | 1.09.2015 | 9:30 p.m. CT
The Bulls never really were in Friday’s game after a horrendous start and lost to the Washington Wizards 102-86. After falling behind by double digits less than six minutes into the game, the Bulls most serious run was to get within six late in the third quarter. But Washington closed the third with an 8-2 run and the Wizards’ physical play proved too much. When the Wizards opened the fourth with five straight points the Bulls trailed 85-68 and too far behind to make much impact. The Bulls fell behind Washington in the Eastern Conference standings at 25-12. Washington went to 25-11. It was the third loss in six games for the Bulls after seven straight wins and 10 wins in their previous 11. The Bulls were led by Derrick Rose with 19 points. Aaron Brooks added 16 off the bench in yet another poor shooting game for the team. The Bulls were beaten inside as Marcin Gortat had 21 points and 13 rebounds and Nene 15 points and 11 rebounds. It was another poor first quarter for the Bulls, which doesn’t go very far in explaining how bad it was. The Wizards led 30-13 as the Bulls rallied late. Derrick Rose came out aggressive, driving to the basket the first two possessions and scoring six of the Bulls first eight points. The Bulls got an excellent run from the reserves to open the second quarter behind Aaron Brooks with seven points and E’Twaun Moore with six. That got the Bulls back within 41-34. But the Wizards’ starters regained control and pulled boldly ahead 60-42 at halftime. The Bulls rallied back in the third quarter behind the starters as Rose and Jimmy Butler got it going to draw within 72-66 on a 10-0 run. But the Wizards regrouped with a pair of threes from former Bull Rasual Butler to lead 80-68 entering the fourth quarter. Observations 1. It was yet another staggering start for the Bulls, falling behind by 16 points nine minutes into the first quarter and trailing by as much as 20 in what should have been a big game for both teams. 2. Derrick Rose’s shot, much discussed, was much better as Rose appeared to be releasing it higher and in better position and was the best offensive option among the starters as he had 19 points after three quarters. 3. It’s really the team’s shooting slump that continued as the Bulls came into Friday’s game shooting below 40 percent in four of the last six games and not holding opponents under 40 in any of those games. The Bulls shot 38.6 percent Friday.