The X-Factor

The Bulls lost to the Bucks in overtime last Monday as Giannis Antetokounmpo took over late. They lost to the Heat in the closing seconds on Saturday as Jimmy Butler took over. Last night, they won 108-104 in Philadelphia, halting the 76ers’ six-game win streak and overcoming Joel Embiid’s forty points. What was different between this game and the two losses? Alex Caruso. The brittle, vital sixth man was injured and didn’t play against the Bucks and Heat. Last night, Caruso logged 30:30 and helped defend against Embiid, who failed to make a game-tying shot close in off the glass with six seconds left. Caruso plays, and his team has a chance. He sits, and good luck. The Bulls are 6-3 since Zach LaVine went down with a foot injury; all the losses have been close or pretty close. Without LaVine, they’re a team with everyone pulling in the same direction. With Caruso, they’re a team with a chance of making the playoffs.