The Bulls crowned a series of two games against the Washington Wizards with a 133-130 short-handed victory, moving their record to 2-3. Here’s what stood out:
A quick game on the bench
Just under 90 minutes before the warning, Billy Donovan reported that Lauri Markkanen, Tomáš Satoranský, Chandler Hutchison and Ryan Arcidiacono will be the first to enter the game and participants in the NBA health and safety protocols.
This left the Bulls coach without a starter to find his pace and three reserves Donovan had shown confidence in throughout the pre and regular game. In Markkanen’s place, Otto Porter Jr., who has been a boon for the bank, ran with the starters.
And yet, the Bulls’ reserves appeared. Daniel Gafford, Thad Young, Garrett Temple and Denzel Valentine combined 41 points.
Leading the way was the infectiously energetic Gafford. He ended the night with 15 points (7 to 8 from the field), five rebounds (three offensive), two assists, two steals, one block, a handful of his typically loud dunks and several defensive plays with active hands.
On a prominent stretch, Gafford replaced Wendell Carter Jr. with six and a half minutes to play in the second quarter and the Wizards shortly after a 10-0 streak that featured four Bulls turns. Gafford rattled a Garrett Temple feed that spawned a Bulls 7-0 run to tie the game in 56. They entered the break 71-68, with Gafford closing the room.
In his season debut, Young remarkably scored 15 points and six assists, and closed the game alongside Coby White, LaVine, Temple and Porter. It was a kind of night to get ready.
Ottoman
On that topic, Porter, in an oscillating role, continued to deliver to the Bulls. In 31 minutes, he led the Bulls with 28 points, many of them timely – including the two free throws that delayed the game with three points.
Embedded in this line: 5 to 9 3 point shot. At the same time: 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Altogether, it is Porter’s fifth consecutive double-digit score result to open a critical season for him. Like a veteran being asked to adapt his role with the passing breeze, he has been a breath of fresh air until now.
Certified shooting
These teams entered the night in first (Bulls) and third (Wizards) in PACE, and looked to the side. This was a case of high octane.
The Wizards left the gate for a first quarter of 41 points – the third quarter of more than 40 points that the Bulls allowed this season – with 68.4% of pitches and 6 to 8 of 3. The Bulls, however, kept pace, scoring 35 points of their own with 3-point shots out of 6 out of 10. They helped 11 of the 14 field shots made overall, which marked a high of the season for a quarter (which they would match in the second).
And obtaining the bucket has hardly decreased since then. The Bulls entered the range with a 71-68 lead. They broke the century mark with 1:46 remaining in the third period. The final count speaks for itself.
Obviously, this does not mean satisfactory defensive performance. The Wizards nearly broke 50 percent of the field and the 3-point break and tried 39 free throws. They had three players breaking 22 points, including another triple-double by Russell Westbrook and a 10 to 11 explosion by Thomas Bryant.
But…
So close, yet so far
The movement of the Bulls’ ball was sublime. For the second consecutive game, they had three players breaking the six-assist mark – this time, Coby White, Zach LaVine and Thad Young. White’s 16 points and 10 assists marked his first double in his career.
And they almost broke the coveted watermark of 35 assists by former coach Jim Boylen. Unfortunately, they ended up with 34 coins in 50 baskets made. And it had seven double-digit players for the second consecutive game.
Of course, it was against a leaky Wizards defense. But after the way the Bulls’ first three games have played out, they will accept.
Floating bulls
The ability to respond to adversity has been a common issue around Billy Donovan Zooms earlier this season. The Bulls took a step in the right direction on that front.
First, consider the second quarter example from the Gafford synopsis above. Then the 10-2 streak with which the Wizards opened the second half, to which the Bulls responded by scoring the hosts 34-22 in the last nine minutes of the quarter.
More jabs on the chin came in the room, when the Wizards heated up from 3 and routinely hit the foul line. The final minutes of this one had many changes of advantage, with the Bulls losing by five with four minutes to play.
But it ended in victory. LaVine had timely intervals (10 points in the fourth quarter in all); in fact, he, White and Porter combined to freeze the competition with free throws. And the Bulls’ backcourt, often criticized for their defensive deficiencies, made strong clashes in Westbrook and Beal’s layup attempts in the final seconds.
All things considered, one night to feel good. This team had 3-18 wins in the 2019-20 season. Make it 1-0 for 2020-21 for now.
Next: in Milwaukee to face Bucks on New Year’s Day.