Newsflash: The Bulls are not going to score 46 points regularly in a quarter.
As production was the highest quarter of the season and the fifth highest in franchise history, Monday’s third quarter, which took place during a methodical 120-100 blowout of the Rockets, is one of the books.
It’s also one for the movie room – and indicative of the way this emerging Bulls team plays. Selfless attitude. Strong, purposeful cutting. Ominous. Boiling shooting.
‘One of the best terms I have participated in in my career, ”Said Thad Young.
Keep in mind that this is Young’s 14th season.
The Bulls shot 19-for-25 in the period, including 7-for-9 from outside the arc. They posted 10 assistants. All seven players who scored minutes, and all but Wendell Carter Jr., posted at least one assist.
Here’s all you need to know about the Bulls’ point depth and balance: Coby White, who led the Bulls with 24 points and also had 10 rebounds, scored just two points in the period and less than Tomáš Satoranský. That’s because White went to the locker room to address a bloody nose – he also hit his head on the basket, but then said he was fine – and coach Billy Donovan rolled with the hot unit.
‘Dis crazy. “I think Zach (LaVine) had (seven) points in the half, and I went back about two or three minutes, and when I come back, I see Zach has 20,” White said with a laugh. “Then I asked Wendell, ‘What happened? “He said, ‘Bruh, he ran a 14-0 run.’ And I was like ‘Dang’.
‘I’ve been saying this since the beginning of the year: Everyone has only one common goal and that is to win. That’s all we really care about as a team. We do not really care who gets off. We know, Zach is going to go there and she’s get 30. That’s just who he is. But other than that, we do not really care, man, as long as we win the matches. It’s fun to play with everyone. ”
LaVine actually did not succeed 14-0. But he did score 11 points in 1 minute, 29 seconds and 14 points during the 5-for-5 shooting, including three three-pointers.
LaVine, of course, has the ability to score in bunches. But his approach to the night – a start to the defense in which he lined up teammates, followed by an explosion – is proof of his growth and the potential of this offense.
Coach Billy Donovan, for example, constantly talks about cutting to create better shots for your teammates. When a rare possession got stuck, LaVine cut hard from the point and Young, who was a revelation this season, hit him with a bounce for a layout.
“You have a team that is willing to play for each other,” Young said. ‘It’s similar to the same thing when I was in Indy. We played for each other. We always tried to have more than 30 assists per game, and everyone just played for each other. This kind gives me the same atmosphere and the same feeling. Guys are locked up and we all play for each other.
‘We understand who our main guys are, but we also understand that there are four other guys out there who are around the man with the basketball. So we all try to move, cut and read for each other and try to make the game as easy as possible. And I think that’s what it was. Coaches kept us from keeping open and playing really good basketball, and we did. ”
The Bulls also benefited from better ball security this month. They committed just 12 turnovers against Houston. And like any good coach, Donovan emphasized that even the low number could be lower.
Donovan also jokingly said he did not want to talk too much about the Bulls’ improved ball security, a big problem earlier in the season not to keep it secret. But this is the thing: if the numbers stay, an already well-oiled offense runs even smoother.
No, 46 quarters is not going to happen all the time. But the Bulls, who finished with 24 assistants, missed their 20 nail-bitersde game with at least 25. They put six scorers in double digits, which they did throughout.
There is a lot to like.
“Progress is being made with our group,” Donovan said. ‘I think we’re trying to play the right way. It is a very unselfish team and an extra pass team and a group that is willing to give the ball. ”
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