Following their recent humiliating defeat to the Boston Celtics, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan were sidelined for last night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to lower-body injuries. The Chicago Bulls decided it would be best to give their star duo a night off against a formidable Bucks team that should have easily won, as their bodies were worn out and their egos were even more battered.
They did, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
The Bulls showed their best team performance of the season by rising to the occasion instead of folding and playing dead against Giannis Antetokounmpo and company. The coaching schemes were sound, the defensive rotations appeared solid, and the Bulls finally used their youth and athleticism by getting out and pushing the ball in transition.
Consequently, the Bulls would overcome all odds and win a closely contested 120-113 overtime match. Although it would only be Chicago’s sixth victory of the year, it might be their most significant to date. This was no easy task, especially considering they were up against a seasoned Bucks team with a championship history and a 13-5 record going into last night’s game.
In their victory over Milwaukee last night, the Bulls showed that they might be better off without DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.
Once again, Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls to victory, displaying the qualities of an All-Star difference-maker in Orlando. With a very well-rounded game, Vucevic finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 11 made field goals out of his 21 attempts. Even though Vooch was fantastic, I was most impressed by the entire team’s effort last night.
Eight Bulls players had double digits in the scoring column by the time the clock reached zero seconds and Chicago prevailed narrowly 7 points in overtime, with four players dishing out five assists or more. The Bulls appeared to be a completely different team that day. They were able to create better looks by moving the ball around and showing mutual trust when switching defenses. Even Billy Donovan’s substitutions were well-timed and logical because LaVine and DeRozan were no longer available to play their usually porous defense and absorb heavy minutes.
If the rumors about Donovan being a long-term Chicago resident are accurate, it’s encouraging to see him show much more command over this roster in the absence of the stars. When everyone buys in, we saw last night why the Bulls had one of the best defenses in the NBA the previous season. Though his record of getting stars to cross the finish line hasn’t always been the best, Billy has a history of helping underperforming teams outperform.
Luckily for Donovan, it looks like he might soon get the opportunity to start over. LaVine and DeRozan looked completely embarrassed during last night’s victory over the Bucks, which might have been their worst-case scenario. The Bulls lost a lot of games that they could have won because of their dominance with iso possessions, but Chicago also looked much better without the two in the lineup. If the All-Star pair can’t improve their teammates, other suitors may be reluctant to trade for them.
Here, it’s critical to maintain composure and avoid overreacting to a single game. However, if we disregard all reason and logic, this is the exact kind of game that could prove to be pivotal for the Bulls this year. This new-look, fast-paced team is actually entertaining to watch, even if they lose.