Wednesday, the depleted Charlotte Hornets were defeated 111-100 by the Chicago Bulls, led by DeMar DeRozan’s 29 points, to earn their third consecutive victory after a five-game drought.

The Bulls received 20 points and 11 rebounds from Nikola Vucevic, while Coby White contributed 19 points.

Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier each contributed 27 points for Charlotte. The Hornets are four of five and have lost two consecutive games.

In the first half’s first six minutes, Chicago established dominance by limiting the Hornets to two field goals. A 3-pointer by White that closed out a 19-4 run and gave the Bulls a 67-48 lead in the middle of the third period. The remainder of the night, Charlotte never came within eight points of the lead.

Hornets guard LaMelo Ball missed his fourth consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain, and starting center Mark Williams was removed from the lineup hours before tipoff with a back contusion. Charlotte utilized a mere three substitutes.

Zach LaVine, a guard for Chicago, missed his third consecutive game due to a right foot injury.

Midway through the second quarter, the Bulls extended their lead to double digits with a 16-3 run, but Charlotte concluded the half with a 15-3 surge to trail 48-44 at intermission.