This is a game the Chicago Bulls would’ve lost in previous seasons.
Zach LaVine winced after landing from dunks. He sighed after running upcourt. And he only scored 12 points.
This isn’t previous seasons.
DeMar DeRozan kept doing DeMar DeRozan things, scoring 35 efficient points for his career-high-tying fifth straight 30-point game. Nikola Vucevic stuffed the box score with 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Javonte Green baseline cut his way for dunks and a career-high-tying 23 points. Coby White shook off a rough first half to catch one of his hot streaks and sink six 3-pointers for 22 points. And Ayo Dosunmu returned for a concussion with his fourth double-double.
Coach Billy Donovan praised LaVine, who recently has been sidelined by both knee soreness and back spasms, for playing through and contributing what he could. That featured six assists, with one, in which he passed up a shot to keep a red-hot White rolling, drawing special praise from Donovan.
“I’m sure he’s not quite where he wants to be physically,” Donovan said, elaborating that LaVine will have input on whether he sits out Saturday’s back-to-back game against the Thunder. “I give him a lot of credit. He’s going out there and competing and trying to do what he can to help the team.”
Donovan shortened his rotation, dropping Matt Thomas and playing Malcolm Hill just 4 minutes in, essentially, an eight-man look. It didn’t stop the Bulls from posting season-highs in points, field goals and shooting percentage.
And that’s a testament to the talent now around LaVine, who used to have to carry such a heavy burden offensively. In fact, it would be smart of the Bulls to sit LaVine on Saturday against the Thunder.
“We have so many great players on our team and so many guys who can do so many different things,” Dosunmu said. “It’s all about gelling together. Me being the point guard, it’s my job to put guys in position to be successful. This was an example of how many guys we are capable of doing things at a high level.”
Before the game, Donovan again heaped praise on White, who endured a rocky---and delayed---start to his season following offseason shoulder surgery. Donovan praised White’s ability to persevere and to adjust from starting at point guard to coming off the bench in a catch-and-shoot role with Dosunmu back.
And White against displayed his aptitude for responding to in-game failure. After a rocky first half that featured only one highlight that White flatly attributed to “luck,” he responded with one of his patented hot streaks. It again reminded all of his value come playoff time when scoring is more at a premium.
“We got really, really good minutes from Coby,” Donovan said.
Donovan met with White following the morning shootaround to acknowledge how much his role has changed and communicate his appreciation for the way he has handled it. With Dosunmu back and Lonzo Ball projected to return at some point, the goal is to keep White in his reserve scoring role.
White always has said as long as he gets minutes, he’s fine with whatever.
“I’m a laid-back guy, go with the flow,” White said.
The Bulls’ offense flowed Friday night, even with a less-than-100-percent LaVine.
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Bulls' depth shines as LaVine battles sore back - NBC Sports Chicago
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