CHARLOTTE, NC – Zach LaVine is proving he can be an NBA scorer.
But what Bulls coach Billy Donovan likes most about the seven-year veteran is that he is improving the game for others and helping his team win.
LaVine, who established himself as Chicago’s top scoring option, continued his strong and balanced game with 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds to lead the Bulls in the 123-110 victory over Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.
“I think he understands that he needs to raise the level of the team’s game,” said Donovan. “The sign of a great player is a player that makes everyone around him better and I thought he made some really great passes and gave the guys some open eyes. Everyone knows he can score. Can he increase the group around him? ”
LaVine, who averaged 32.2 points in his previous five games, converted 8 out of 12 field shots and hit all six foul shots. He repeatedly made the right moves, preparing his teammates for open eyes while taking the break and distributing assists.
“I understand a little bit that in the past three years, you cannot go alone,” said LaVine. “I think I took a step in the right direction in the off-season, looking for how I can help my teammates improve. Trusting and having healthy people helps a lot. … I’m trying to read the game. We are creating a lot of open scenes, so it has been good. “
Lauri Markkanen scored 23 points and Coby White added 18 points and eight assists in the Bulls’ victory for the third consecutive time.
“We all know he can score, but he is doing a good job of involving other people,” said Markkanen of LaVine. “He is doing a very good job in all aspects.”
Gordon Hayward scored 34 points for the Hornets and Devonte Graham had the season record with 24 points, 22 of them in the first half. But the Hornets made 20 turnovers, leading the Bulls to 26 points, losing the fourth consecutive time.
Hornets coach James Borrego said he needs more production than he is getting from Hayward.
“Saying ‘Gordon, go save us every night, from start to finish’, is not what we are looking for,” said Borrego. “Other guys need to perform and play better.”
The Hornets lost most of the game before reducing the lead to six, with four minutes to go. But Markkanen nailed Thaddeus Young’s internal feed and LaVine dunked a 3-point ball from the left wing to push the lead back into double digits.
SHARING THE BALL
The Bulls ended with 33 assists.
“I think we are doing a good job of sharing the ball and looking open,” said Markkanen.
ZELLER’S RETURN
Hornets center Cody Zeller was back on the ground after losing the last four games with a broken bone in his left hand. Zeller did not start, played 11 minutes and scored five points and had three rebounds.
At times, he seemed out of sync with his teammates.
“Moving on, I have to find out the rotations and what is best for our club,” said Borrego. “It was nice to have you back on the floor.”
TIP INS
Bulls: kicked 57% and scored 38 points in the painting in the first half. … performed a 46-20 edge on bench points. … Reserve Otto Porter had 13 points and eight rebounds.
Hornets: Shot 7 of 32 (21.9%) of the 3-point range. … had 14 laps in the first half.
NEXT
Bulls: Introduce LeBron James and the Lakers on Saturday night.
Hornets: Take on the Magic in Orlando on Sunday night and again on Monday.
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