\u201cI thought we shared the ball really well,\u201d coach Billy Donovan said. \u201cI thought we generated good shots. I felt we were a little bit more active with our hands. That was all good.\u201d<\/p>\n
The win was met with somewhat muted enthusiasm from a half-full arena where fans were clearly splitting their attention with another game happening downtown.<\/a> The biggest cheers of the night filled the United Center each time a highlight from the Bears\u2019 playoff game was shown on the big screen at center court.<\/p>\n Here are three takeaways from the win.<\/p>\n 1. Coby White was on fire. Even on his best nights this season, Coby White has still been searching for his 3-point shot.<\/p>\n The guard has nearly returned to his scoring highs set last season, averaging 17.9 points per game (down from 20.4 points per game last season) while bouncing in and out of the rotation due to a set of lingering calf injuries. But the guard is still shooting the ball significantly below his career averages, logging a 31.3% clip from deep compared to his 36.7% career average.<\/p>\n Despite these struggles from deep, White\u2019s shooting has returned in flashes in recent weeks as he regains strength and consistency in his legs. Sunday\u2019s win marked one of those nights.<\/p>\n White scored 21 of his 24 points from behind the arc, sinking his first three attempts of the night.<\/p>\n He finished 7-for-11 (63.6%) from deep.<\/p>\n White\u2019s onslaught was only one source of a crucial advantage for the Bulls, who bludgeoned the Nets from the 3-point arc in the first half. The Bulls cooled off after shooting 60% from 3-point range in the first half, but still outscored Brooklyn 60 to 48 from deep, including five 3s from Ayo Dosunmu and three from Matas Buzelis.<\/p>\n 2. The bigs posted big minutes. The Bulls are still waiting on the return of Zach Collins \u2014 who will be sidelined until after the All-Star break with a sprained big toe \u2014 to run out their full slate of double-big lineups<\/a>. But that doesn\u2019t mean the team can\u2019t lean on this preferred rotation in shortened stints.<\/p>\n Coach Billy Donovan started centers Jalen Smith and Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 against the Nets, providing much-needed size against Brooklyn\u2019s pairing of Nic Claxton and Danny Wolf. Both centers thrived in this system. Smith logged 12 points and 10 rebounds. Vu\u010devi\u0107 tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds.<\/p>\n Starting and closing with both bigs presents a grueling workload for the two centers. Vu\u010devi\u0107 played 28 minutes. Smith played nearly 31. But it was ultimately worth it for the Bulls, who have found comfort in the improved rim protection and physicality created by doubling up their centers.<\/p>\n 3. Josh Giddey is nearing a return.<\/p>\n Guard Josh Giddey took another step toward returning to the rotation Sunday by practicing with the Windy City Bulls. Giddey has been sidelined for weeks<\/a> with a strained left hamstring, missing a total of nine games in the process. If the guard comes out of Sunday\u2019s practice with minimal discomfort, the Bulls are hopeful that he can return to practice with the senior team by the end of this week.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ctc-z-Nets-Bulls-Basketball_258410944.jpg\")
Chicago Bulls’ Coby White goes up to shoot against Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton during the second half on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo\/Paul Beaty)<\/p>\n
\n![\"Brooklyn](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ctc-z-Nets-Bulls-Basketball_258409082.jpg\")
Brooklyn Nets’ Terance Mann dunks against Chicago Bulls’ Jalen Smith during the first half on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo\/Paul Beaty)<\/p>\n