Zach LaVine Has Been Dominant Behind the Arc This Season

Zach LaVine’s rise up the NBA ranks can be summed up – in part – by his improvement behind the arc. After shooting just 34.1 percent over his 24 games post-ACL tear in 2017-18, LaVine has shown nothing but improvement as a three-level scorer, bumping his 3-point percentage all the way up to a career-high 42.0 percent this season.

Take a look at the progress:

2017-18: 34.1% (5.1 3PAs)
2018-19: 37.4% (5.1 3PAs)
2019-20: 38.0 (8.1 3PAs)
2020-21: 41.9% (8.2 3PAs)
2021-22: 42.0% (7.6 3PAs)

LaVine’s efficient clip this year ranks 2nd among players with at least 7.0 attempts per game. Only Nets sparkplug Patty Mills (42.5%) sits ahead of LaVine (and, fun enough, Lonzo Ball sits right behind LaVine at 41.0 percent).

If we look at LaVine’s shooting since the start of December (11 games), the All-Star’s 48.8 percent clip is the best out of any player who has averaged those 7.0 attempts per game, according to NBA Stats. The shooting guard has also made at least four 3-pointers in six of his last seven games, which is the first time he can say that in his career.

Simply put, this past month continues a long trend for the ever-improving LaVine, which comes as no surprise when we consider the new talent he has around him. A more distracted defense means more open shots, and LaVine is on pace to take the most open 3-pointers (defender within 4-6 feet) of his career. He is set to break the career-high 250 open shot attempts he took from downtown last season, already tossing up 140 open looks this season and converting at a 42.1 percent rate.

Relatedly, LaVine’s catch-and-shoot opportunities have gone up significantly, where he is thriving with an absurd 48.3 percent on 89 attempts through 35 games. LaVine tossed up just 148 looks in catch-and-shoot situations last season.

Note: We should remind you that the NBA played 10 fewer games last season, but the point remains that LaVine is seeing more high-percentage looks than ever before. 

The presence of a secondary scorer like DeMar DeRozan and a true facilitator in Lonzo Ball has given an already-effecient shooter that much more room to work. Not to mention, a system built around ball movers and multiple playmakers has given LaVine a number of options to play off of. Ball, DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Alex Caruso have assisted LaVine on 50 of his 105 made 3-pointers this season.

Take away the open opportunities and easy looks, however, and that’s where we see just how special LaVine’s 3-point shot has become. When an opponent is within 2-4 feet, which NBA Stats classifies as tight coverage, LaVine is still draining his downtown buckets at a 39.1 percent clip (18-46). As of now, that number has skyrocketed from his 33.0 percent showing in tight coverage situations last season (33-100).

LaVine might be known for his high-flying dunks and athletic finesse, but he has turned himself into one of the most efficient and deadly 3-point shooters in the league. And, when we take all of this into consideration, it only makes more sense that the Chicago Bulls have been the NBA’s top 3-point shooting squad this season.

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

What Would be the Best Draw for the Chicago Bulls in the Play-In Tournament?

Nine games stand between the Chicago Bulls and the Play-In Tournament. I know ... yippie! Practically locked into the No. 9 seed, this puts them in line to host the No. 10 seed at the United Center in Round 1....

Best Defense of the Season, Playing Big, Javonte Green’s Instant Impact, and Other Bulls Bullets

Lose to the 14-win Wizards one game and hold the Pacers' elite offense to their worst performance of the season the next. Your 2023-24 Chicago Bulls, everyone! As I said in last night's Enhanced Box Score, I'm now even more...

WOW: Minnesota Timberwolves Sale to Alex Rodriguez Falls Through

The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a bomb on Thursday morning. According to a statement released by the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership group, the franchise is no longer for sale. A transition of power was thought to be in place over the...

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...

Latest News

MVC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Tuesday that feature MVC squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores.How to Bet on MVC Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Tuesday postseason college basketball schedule, the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

Marlins vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Friday, Andrew Jacob Puk will take the mound for the Miami Marlins against Martin Perez and the Pittsburgh Pirates, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at LoanDepot park.See how to watch the Miami-Pittsburgh...

Warriors vs. Hornets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Golden State Warriors (38-34) hit the court against the Charlotte Hornets (18-54) as double-digit, 11.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under of 218 points.Dig into the best bets...

Pacers vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) are 2.5-point underdogs as they look to extend a five-game win streak when they visit the Indiana Pacers (41-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game airs at 7:00 PM ET on...

Clippers vs. Magic Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers (45-27) are slightly favored (by 1 point) to continue a three-game road win streak when they visit the Orlando Magic (42-30) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The point total in the matchup...

Wizards vs. Pistons Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Detroit Pistons (12-61) are slight underdogs (by 2.5 points) to stop a five-game road losing streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (14-59) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The over/under is 229 in the matchup.Check...

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV

Spencer Strider will take the mound for the Atlanta Braves when they square off against starter Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you...

more bulls news