Asked before Thursday night’s debacle if one common characteristic defined recent fourth-quarter collapses, Bulls coach Scott Skiles shrugged and settled on a failure to make big plays at big times.
The Bulls then offered more evidence in a dismal 86-83 loss to New Jersey before a United Center sellout crowd of 21,931.
With a national cable audience watching, the Bulls blew an 18-point lead to New Jersey for the second time in seven days and surrendered at least a 12-0, fourth-quarter run for the second time in as many nights.
Jason Kidd’s monster triple double handed the Bulls their fifth loss in six games and their first home loss to an Eastern Conference team since April 6 of last season, a span of 16 games overall and 13 this season.
Kirk Hinrich made a runner in the lane for the Bulls to make it 74-67, then the Nets came back and scored 14 consecutive points.
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STAT COLUMN
82
Jason Kidd recorded his 82nd career triple-double. Kidd had 23 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists for his seventh triple-double of the season.
