The United Center hums with a specific kind of anxiety lately. If you’ve been tracking the score of the bulls over the last few seasons, you know that "almost" has become the unofficial team motto. It’s a weird time to be a Chicago fan. You walk into the arena hoping for that 90s-era dominance, but usually, you're just looking at a scoreboard that shows a four-point deficit with two minutes left on the clock.
Honesty is necessary here.
Watching the Bulls right now is like watching a movie where you know the ending, yet you still hope the protagonist survives the jump. They don't always survive. Actually, lately, they've been hitting the pavement pretty hard. When we talk about the score, we aren't just talking about the final digits on the LED screen; we’re talking about a franchise stuck in the "middle."
Why the Score of the Bulls Tells a Frustrating Story
Numbers don't lie, but they certainly can be annoying. If you look at the score of the bulls from their recent matchups against Eastern Conference heavyweights like the Celtics or the Bucks, a pattern emerges. They keep it close. They really do. But then the fourth quarter happens.
It’s the "Clutch Minutes" problem.
According to NBA tracking data, the Bulls have spent a massive chunk of the last two seasons playing in games decided by five points or less. That sounds exciting on paper, right? In reality, it’s exhausting. It means the team is good enough to compete but lacks the "killer instinct"—or maybe just the healthy roster—to pull away.
Take a look at the shooting percentages. When the score is tied or within a bucket late in the game, the efficiency drops. This isn't just bad luck. It's a combination of predictable play-calling and a lack of consistent three-point threats. You can't win in 2026 by trading mid-range jumpers for transition threes. The math just doesn't work.
The Lonzo Ball Ghost
We have to talk about Lonzo. It’s impossible to discuss the score of the bulls without acknowledging the massive hole left by his injury saga. Remember that brief window when they were the number one seed? It feels like a fever dream now. Back then, the score usually favored Chicago because the pace was electric.
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Lonzo pushed the ball.
Coby White filled lanes.
Zach LaVine didn't have to create everything from scratch.
Since that knee injury changed the trajectory of the franchise, the Bulls have slowed down. Their "Pace Factor" has plummeted. When the game slows down, the score stays low, and when the score stays low, the margin for error becomes razor-thin. One missed assignment on a pick-and-roll doesn't just cost you a possession; it costs you the game.
The Defense vs. Offense Paradox
The box score is a funny thing. You might see a score of the bulls game end at 112-108 and think, "Hey, the defense held up." But defense in the modern NBA is about more than just the final total. It's about when you give up the points.
Billy Donovan has tried to implement a high-pressure scheme. It works... sometimes. Alex Caruso was the heart of that—a guy who could change the score without even taking a shot. Losing that kind of defensive impact means the Bulls have to score more just to stay even.
- Points in the paint are up for opponents.
- Second-chance points are a nightmare.
- The transition defense is, frankly, spotty.
If you’re checking the score tonight, look at the rebounding margin. That’s usually the secret indicator. If the Bulls are getting out-rebounded by ten or more, they are losing that game 90% of the time, regardless of how well DeMar DeRozan shoots the leather off the ball.
DeRozan and the Mid-Range Mastery
DeMar is a throwback. He’s a walking bucket. He’s also the reason the score of the bulls stays respectable even when the rest of the offense is stagnant. There is something beautiful about a guy who refuses to shoot threes in an era obsessed with them.
But there’s a ceiling.
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Expert analysts like Zach Lowe have often pointed out that relying on "tough twos" is a difficult way to live in the playoffs. It keeps the score close, but it rarely results in a blowout win. The Bulls are the kings of the 104-102 loss. It’s high-drama, low-reward basketball.
What the 2025-2026 Season Taught Us So Far
The current landscape is different. We’re seeing younger guys like Josh Giddey try to inject some life into the system. The score of the bulls has become a bit more volatile lately. We're seeing more 120-point games, which is a departure from the grind-it-out style of a year ago.
Is it better?
Kinda. It’s more fun to watch, at least. Giddey’s vision allows for some easy baskets that simply weren't there before. But the defensive trade-off is real. If the Bulls score 120 but give up 125, the scoreboard still looks ugly at the end of the night.
I was looking at the splits from last week. The Bulls are actually scoring more points per possession in the first half than they were last year. The problem is the third-quarter slump. It’s a recurring theme. They come out of the locker room flat, the opponent goes on a 12-2 run, and suddenly the Bulls are chasing the score for the rest of the night.
The "Rally" Myth
Fans in Chicago are used to the fake rally. You know the one. The Bulls are down 15 with six minutes left. They play out of their minds for four minutes, cut the lead to three, the crowd gets loud, and then... they miss a free throw or turn it over.
The score of the bulls during these rallies is misleading. It suggests momentum, but often it's just the opposing team taking their foot off the gas. To actually move the needle in the Eastern Conference, Chicago needs to be the team creating the 15-point lead, not the one desperately trying to claw back into a game they should have controlled from the jump.
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Real-World Stats: A Deep Look
Let's look at some actual numbers from the most recent stretch of games.
Average Points Per Game: 112.4
Opponent Points Per Game: 115.8
Three-Point Percentage: 35.1% (Bottom third of the league)
When you see the score of the bulls sitting at 55 at halftime, you can almost bet they’ll finish around 110. They are consistent, if nothing else. But consistency in mediocrity is a dangerous place for a sports franchise. It keeps you out of the high draft picks but also keeps you out of the second round of the playoffs.
Moving Forward: How to Actually Improve the Score
So, how do the Bulls change the narrative? It’s not just about "trying harder." It’s about roster construction.
- Space the floor. You cannot have three non-shooters on the floor at the same time in 2026. The spacing is cramped, which makes it harder for guys to get to the rim.
- Defensive Identity. They need a rim protector. Period. When the score gets high, it’s usually because the Bulls are giving up easy layups.
- Draft Strategy. Stop trading away first-round picks for "win-now" players who only help you win 41 games.
Basically, the score of the bulls is a reflection of a team that hasn't decided what it wants to be. Are they rebuilding? Are they contending? Right now, they are just... there.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are tracking this team, stop just looking at the final score. Start looking at the point differential by quarter. That is where the real story lives. If you see the Bulls losing the "Points off Turnovers" battle, it doesn't matter how many points Coby White drops—they are going to lose.
Check the "Box Score +/-" for the bench units. The Bulls' starters often play the opposition to a draw, but the score falls apart when the second unit comes in. This suggests a depth issue that management hasn't addressed.
Keep an eye on the injury report. This sounds obvious, but for the Bulls, it’s everything. Their margin for error is so small that losing even a role player can swing the score by 10 points.
To get a better handle on the Bulls' performance, monitor the Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) rather than just the final score. This metric accounts for the fact that three-pointers are worth more than two-pointers, revealing why the Bulls often lose despite having more made field goals. Additionally, track the team's Assist-to-Turnover ratio during the fourth quarter specifically; this has been a primary indicator of whether the score will hold or collapse in the final minutes. Finally, pay attention to the Defensive Rating in road games, as Chicago's scoring consistency fluctuates wildly away from the United Center.