With how many thrilling games occurred on the docket Wednesday night, the game between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons got lost in the shuffle. With the No. 1 overall pick from the 2021 NBA Draft, Cade Cunningham, sidelined by an injury, there were even fewer eyes drawn to the game.
Nonetheless, the Bulls handled their business. After a slow start, as they trailed 20-14 at the end of the first quarter, they were able to get things on track. Chicago won a hard-fought, drag’em out game 94-88.
Zach LaVine picked up right where he left off last season, having one of the better performances of the night. LaVine scored 34 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field. He knocked down only 1-of-5 from the 3-point line but was a perfect 11-of-11 from the foul line.
The stat sheet was stuffed outside just the scoring column, too. LaVine grabbed seven rebounds, handed out four assists, nabbed one steal, and blocked one shot. In 35 minutes, he turned the ball over only twice as well.
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It was an excellent season opener for Zach LaVine, who is excited about the Bulls’ outlook this season. Following the win, he expressed how confident he was in himself and his new teammates.
“This ain’t last year. We’re looking forward now,” LaVine said of the revamped Bulls, who also added Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso to the roster. “It’s a whole new team. A whole new mindset. So, I’m excited that we grinded that one out. A win’s a win.”
“I’m always confident. I put the work in but having this dude next to me (DeMar DeRozan), having Vooch next to me, that just makes me more confident and more ready to play,” LaVine said. “We have a bunch of dogs on the team now and guys that will step up for each other so I’m really excited, but a win’s a win and we’re going to go forward from here.”
Chicago certainly upgraded the talent on the roster. Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso give them one of the deepest backcourt groups in the NBA, especially when Coby White returns from injury.
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Alas, the team does have some issues when it comes to depth. They are very top-heavy, but outside of Caruso, no one else with the second unit played more than 15 minutes. Alize Johnson, Javonte Green, Ayo Dosunmu, and Troy Brown Jr. were the other players that came into the game off the bench.
That will be something to keep an eye on throughout the season. Billy Donovan will have to have more than six players he can rely on otherwise, the Chicago Bulls aren’t going to reach the heights they believe they are capable of.
