Bulls set new low mark in first half against Hornets

The Bulls suffered a 25-point loss to the Hornets back in November, and it looked like they were on their way to another drubbing in Charlotte Monday night.

Without starters Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose and Nikola Mirotic, Chicago trailed by 18 points after the first quarter – setting a new season high and surpassing the 17 points they trailed by in that Nov. 3 loss.

With a starting lineup of Mike Dunleavy, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol, E’Twaun Moore and Kirk Hinrich, the Bulls shot just 35 percent from the floor in the first half. The group had almost no help from the bench, which combined to shoot 1-of-15 from the field.

Gasol has a game-high 13 points, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that cut Charlotte’s lead to 15 points at the half.

Derrick Rose was a late scratch due to general soreness and Jimmy Butler is back in Chicago dealing with a sprained left knee. The Bulls are also without big men Nikola Mirotic and Joakim Noah.

Stats via ESPN