Daily Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have built a little winning streak with two games with their win against the Charlotte Hornets, 106-88. Javonte Green led the Bulls with team-high 17 points on 7-for-7 shooting off the bench. Charlotte cut the lead down to single digits in the third, but Chicago’s bench took over and pushed the lead back to double-digits.

1. Best Bench in the NBA?

Even without Andre Drummond and Coby White, the Chicago Bulls bench proved they have one of the best benches in the NBA. Three out of the five players to come off the bench scored in double-digits for Chicago. Javonte Green led the way with 17 points and going perfect, 7-for-7 and 3-for-3 from deep.

Former Miami Heat teammates of Derrick Jones Jr and Goran Dragic contributed, with Jones having 10 points playing as the center in the small ball lineup. Andre Drummond sat out his second straight game due to a shoulder injury and will be out on Friday against Boston. Dragic had 16 points, including two threes in the second quarter, to take control of the game.

2. DeRozan, Lavine struggle

For the first time this season, Zach Lavine played two games in two nights but could not stay hot against Charlotte. He finished the game with 10 points and shot 4-for-16 from the field. Lavine’s 12 missed shots should not be a concern, but those struggles will need to go away against Boston on Friday.

The other Bulls star, DeMar DeRozan, dropped nine points on 2-for-11 shooting. DeMar DeRozan was the only starter not to score in double-digits. Nine points were the lowest point total in a game in DeMar DeRozan’s career on the Bulls. DeRozan’s mid-range game was not needed but is something to look out for with the Bulls’ difficult upcoming schedule.

3. Patrick Williams breakout game

Patrick Williams led all Bulls starters with 16 points, and Williams’s aggressiveness and confidence were fully displayed against the Hornets. Over the last two games, Williams has averaged 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 2 games. Not only has Williams gotten the most challenging defensive assignments. His mid-range game has been shown, and he is getting his own shots.

4. Dragic deserves more than $1.7M

During the preseason, Dragic struggled but turned up the hot during the first nine of his Bulls career, averaging 9.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 rebounds in 9 games. He scored at least 15+ points in the last two games and shot 50% from three. If Goran Dragic had never signed with the Bulls over the summer, Chicago could easily be under .500. Dragic put up 16 points and three assists against the Hornets, including a self-pass out of bounds for an easy lineup.

With Coby White, not 100% and Lonzo Ball still recovering, Dragic will have many minutes. Chicago will need Dragic to stay hot against Boston, who will be looking for revenge after losing the first matchup of the season. The bulls beat the Celtics on October 24th, 120-102, at the United Center.

5. Perimeter defense is still a minor problem

With no Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso on a minutes restriction, Chicago’s perimeter defense has become a minor issue. That was the main for Kelly Oubre Jr scoring nine early third-quarter points to keep the Hornets alive. The slight problem with the Bulls’ perimeter defense is allowing key wide-open threes at the worst times with no contest.

Teams will get hot, but you must contest and get in the face of shooters. Ahead of Friday’s matchup in Boston, allowing threes to start the game could result in a blowout. Boston is eighth in the NBA in three-point percentage at 38%.

Up Next

Chicago will travel to face Boston on Friday.

Charlotte will finish road trip against Memphis on Friday.

Follow us on Twitter!!!!

Check out other Posts!!