Zach LaVine is back. The Bulls star has returned to the court after missing six games and last night was key for Chicago to beat the Thunder. The shooting guard signed 23 points and his team came out victorious by a tight 110-111.
It was a comfortable game for Illinois despite the final result. At the break they won by 10 points and in the third quarter they were up 28. Everything seemed resolved, but Oklahoma was scratching points to just one with 15 seconds remaining. Fortunately for the Bulls, LaVine hit from the free throw line and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed on her subsequent attempt.
“It felt good. I was tired of sitting at home watching. I’m as healthy as I can be, it just sucks sitting at home and not being able to help the team,” explains LaVine, who suffered a left knee injury on January 14.
Chicago had notable absences last night. DeMar DeRozan rested and injured Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso were also absent. Billy Donovan understands that they suffered their losses in the last quarter, coinciding with which the rival increased the intensity of the game.
“Two of our main ball handlers, Lonzo and Alex, are not here; And when you find yourself in these situations in the fourth quarter where teams increase defensive pressure and defend full court, you have to be able to handle it.” head coach of those in Illinois.
In the absence of some of his main pieces, Nikola Vucevic shone in the Bulls, who achieved a fantastic double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds, and rookie Ayo Dosunmu, who achieved the best scoring mark of his short career with 24 points ( 4 of 6 in triples).
Daigneault, proud of his boys
The Thunder added their sixth consecutive loss, but Mark Daigneault did not reproach his boys for that; what’s more, he congratulates them on how they behaved during the match.
“I give a lot of credit to our guys. The pressure on the ball really increased and they put a lot of energy on the court. Going out there and pressing the ball like that was fantastic for us as we managed to short-circuit their attack and didn’t allow them to take advantage of their size on the inside.”
Regarding individual performances, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the best of his team with 31 points to which he added 10 assists. Luguentz Dort was also good with 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Mike Muscala added 14 off the bench.
(Photograph by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)