Good News: The Bulls Are Getting Off to Better Starts

The Chicago Bulls have not left much room for criticism over their first 15 games of the season. A 10-5 start has far exceeded expectations, especially when we consider their record includes victories over some of the league’s most established playoff threats (i.e. Jazz, Nets, Lakers, Clippers). With that said, nobody is perfect, and the Bulls have made sure to remind us of that fact in the first quarter of many games early on this season.

Despite racking up wins, Billy Donovan’s crew found themselves playing the role of comeback king more often than they’d like. While it was fun to watch the Bulls erase an 18-point deficit against the Jazz and a 19-point deficit against the Boston Celtics, no one could pretend this was a sustainable recipe for success, especially Donovan.

“These guys battle and fight, they don’t give up. I have great respect and admiration they have fought their way back. But, like I said, it’s hard to live like that,” Donovan told reporters after the Bulls 103-98 loss to Philly on November 3rd. “You talk about a 19-point comeback, and I thought it showed great resolve to come back and do that, but boy is that a tough way to live every night if you’re gonna sit there and say we have to come back from that kind of deficit.”

The Bulls matchup with last year’s top team in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers, was the first time this team struggled to overcome their slow start. They found themselves down 18, and while they were able to tie the game with roughly 6:40 to go, the 76ers stepped on the gas. It was a reminder that, while the Bulls’ resilience should be admired, the amount of energy expelled in these comeback efforts can oftentimes prove fatal.

Notably, defense wasn’t necessarily the Bulls’ problem. While they did allow teams to grab early-game momentum, the Bulls still held the 8th-best 1st quarter defensive rating. Instead, the issue rested on the other side of the ball with the team’s 6th-worst first-quarter offense. Chicago shot just 43.1 percent in the opening frame over the first nine games of the season. That’s what I call … “ew.”

Fast forward six games, however, and the Bulls have completely flipped the script. Since the November 8th victory over the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago’s first-quarter shooting clip sits at a league-high 53.6 percent. The team has walked into the 2nd quarter with a lead in five of the last six games, and this has come despite losing their All-Star center and playing much fiercer competition (Opponents: Nets, Mavericks, Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, Blazers).

The Bulls now currently hold the NBA’s 4th-highest net rating in the 1st quarter after 15 games, which is a pretty impressive turnaround considering where things stood. And while everyone deserves a round of applause for turning the tide, Zach LaVine should get the biggest.

Before the previous six games, LaVine sat 4th on the team in first-quarter points per game (3.6). Jump ahead to today, and the All-Star averages the 7th-most points to start the game in the NBA (8.5). Part of this has just been a clear emphasis on LaVine’s part to start faster and play downhill. However, the absence of Nikola Vucevic has also likely been a driving force. No, the team isn’t better without him on the floor, but the Bulls’ urgency to get him going from opening tip pulled away from LaVine’s early-game opportunities. Vucevic averaged the most 1st quarter field goal attempts on the team over his first 11 games of the season, per NBA Stats. Not only do we know how rocky his shot was to start the year, but this signals the Bulls were starting the game off playing at a bit of a slower pace.

Again, none of this is to say the lack of Vucevic leads to better starts, but rather an aggressive LaVine is a key. Head coach Billy Donovan told reporters last week that this stretch without the big man would be beneficial for the team long term, per Cody Westerlund. I think learning how to get off to strong starts could be one of those long-term benefits. Perhaps when Vucevic returns, we will continue to see a more aggressive LaVine and more fast-paced Bulls offense right out of the gate. I’m sure there will still be a plan to get Vucevic going in one way or another, but maybe that can be a more gradual in-game process.

Regardless of what approach the team takes upon Vucevic’s return, it’s encouraging to see one of the bigger early-season concerns mellow out over the past handful of games. I think it’s just another example of how Donovan and this roster can show steady improvement as the season goes on. Now … let’s just hope blowing 20-point leads doesn’t become the new trend.

written by

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

NBA Playoffs Update: Several Races Are Still Undecided

The NBA season is winding down. We have some awesome races for the NBA Playoffs to keep an eye on in the final 2+ weeks of the season. The top seed in the West is still up for grabs in...

Alex Caruso’s Status in Question for Matchup with Pacers

The Chicago Bulls might be without their best defensive player against the best offensive team in the NBA. Not great! The latest injury report lists Alex Caruso as "questionable" for Wednesday night's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. Caruso has been...

Needing a Win, One More with the Pacers, Alex Caruso Guards Everyone, and Other Bulls Bullets

*scratches long, disheveled beard and grabs a piece of chalk* *crosses out another game on the cave wall* *sits back on ground, grabs knees, rocks back and forth* Nine more games. Nine more games. Nine more games. Look, I want...

Latest News

Orioles vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Baltimore Orioles (0-0) open their 2024 season with a home game against the Los Angeles Angels (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The Orioles will call on Corbin Burnes versus the Angels and Patrick Sandoval.Orioles vs....

Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM...

Celtics vs. Hawks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The contest airs at 7:30 PM...

Bucks vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) are only 2-point underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game begins at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The matchup's point total is 223.If you are...

How to Watch Indiana State Sycamores vs. Utah Utes: Live Stream or on TV

The Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) will attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Utah Utes (22-14) on April 2, 2024. The Utes have also won three games in a row.Indiana State won its most recent...

How to Watch Seton Hall Pirates vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Live Stream or on TV

The Seton Hall Pirates (23-12) will attempt to extend a three-game win streak when they host the Georgia Bulldogs (20-16) on April 2, 2024. The Bulldogs have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Seton Hall beat...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by Corbin Carroll, take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies in their first game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona...

How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

Luis Castillo will take the ball for the Seattle Mariners when they square off against starting pitcher Brayan Bello and the Boston Red Sox in their season opener on Thursday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.The article below will...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Cleveland Guardians, led by Jose Ramirez, square off against Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics in their first game of the season, at 10:07 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

Senators vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The bookmakers give the edge to the Ottawa Senators on home ice (-198) over the Chicago Blackhawks (+164) when they face off on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 PM ET.Senators vs. Blackhawks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Senators (-198)Underdog: Blackhawks (+164)Total: 6.5Best...

more bulls news