The Chicago Bulls lost the shooting touch in the second half and the talented Los Angeles Clippers rode the hot hand of Jamal Crawford in a 101-91 victory at the United Center.

The Bulls were in familiar territory, they only hit 42.2% from the floor, and managed just 30 points in the final two quarters. The Clippers scored 46 points to claim the road win.  Crawford had 25 points coming off the bench.  He made some great trey’s which stopped the Bulls attack pretty emphatically.

The Bulls played well in the first half, taking a 61-56 lead into half-time. Robin Lopez had ten first half points, but finished the game with just 12.  Jimmy Butler scored 16 points to lead the Bulls. Dwyane Wade shot 2 for 11 on the night for ten points.  The Bulls simply could not muster enough offense to compete in the second-half.  Chicago falls to 31-31 for the season. The Clippers go to 12 games over the .500 mark.

It was the second quality team the Bulls have faced this week, and perhaps the competition wore on the Bulls. They couldn’t find the basket. LA had Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Jordan to contend with, and Crawford coming off the bench.  That after facing Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green the other night.  Curry had an off night in the Warriors game; Crawford did not.

Chicago is finding its way after the big trade that sent Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott out West. New Bull Cameron Payne is a guard that can get open, but he does not have a consistent shot.  Young Bobby Portis is getting more minutes at the forward spot and is learning the role.  The other night he played solidly. Saturday night he scored 11 points.

The Bulls will need to ride Butler and Wade to nail down a playoff berth and that might not be enough.