NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls lost to the Los Angeles Clippers 130-127.
Yeah, it’s annoying they suffered their third-straight loss, but did you see that score? Throw in the fact that only two nights ago the team lost 117-115 to the Los Angeles Lakers, and we Bulls fans have A LOT to be excited about.
The team is playing at a level we have not seen in several years. Again, I know the record may not resemble that, but simply watching a couple of minutes of them actually on the court will. Each and every performance the chemistry seems to improve, and it’s pretty remarkable they have been able to pull this off despite the absence of several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, Tomas Satoransky, Chandler Hutchison, Ryan Arcidiacono, and (most recently) Otto Porter.
I can’t help but give Coby White a big shoutout for the work he’s done recently leading this offense. While he is by no means the perfect point guard, there is no question that he is becoming increasingly comfortable in his new role. Tonight he recorded 13 assists to go along with 9 points and 8 rebounds. Those 13 assists are a new career-high, breaking his previous record of 10, which occurred just six games ago.
Even better, seven of White’s assists were dished out for 3-pointers.
https://twitter.com/wontgottlieb/status/1348383778377510912?s=20
Speaking of which, the Bulls shot a miraculous 54.5 percent from downtown and 61.0 percent from the field. The fact that they converted at such a high rate on the offensive end and dished out 30 assists certainly doesn’t make the loss feel any better, but it does further demonstrate the strides this team is taking on that side of the ball.
Zach LaVine played a huge role in achieving that efficient clip, shooting 15-26 from the field and 10-16(!!!) from behind the arc. He finished the game with 45 points, going to toe-to-toe with the Clippers Kawhi Leonard for the bulk of the game.
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1348413380634308610?s=20
Seriously, though, this felt like a breakout game of sorts for LaVine. Doing what he did against one of the league’s best defenders proves just how elite of a scorer he really is. Then, when you add his 7 rebounds and 7 assists into the mix, it shows his improved effort toward becoming an all-around, winning player. He’s now dropped 30+ in three-straight games and four of the last five. All-Star caliber.
Zach LaVine recorded his 3rd 45-point game as a Bull, tied for 2nd most in franchise history.
45-Point Games by Bulls
73 – Michael Jordan
3 – ZACH LAVINE
3 – Bob Love
2 – Jimmy Butler
1 – 7 players— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) January 10, 2021
LaVine is the sixth player in NBA history with multiple 10-three games:
15 – Steph Curry
5 – Klay Thompson
3 – James Harden
3 – Damian Lillard
3 – J. R. Smith
2 – ZACH LAVINE— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) January 10, 2021
In other great news, Patrick Williams scored a career-high 17 (6-9 FG, 3-5 3PT) points to go along with 2 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. He also finished the game with a team-high +9 on the floor which, in large part, came thanks to another very impressive outing on the defensive side of the ball. After what we’ve seen from him against Giannis, LeBron, and Kawhi, I’m on the verge of believing the Bulls have found themselves someone truly special. This man deserves more national recognition.
Look, I know the Bulls ended that road trip 1-3, but this is an extremely different Bulls team we are dealing with. Despite an extremely similar roster, head coach Billy Donovan and Arturas Karnisovas have managed to steer things in the right direction. Whether or not they keep it up is something we can only wait to see, but I’m feeling all kinds of optimistic about where this team is headed right now. I’m not quite sure the last time I could say that 10-games into the season.
