Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
INDIANAPOLIS — The Chicago Bulls improved to 2-2 with a 112-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Here are 10 observations from the win:
—The Bulls are now 17-9 when Nikola Vucevic, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine each score 20 or more points in the same game. Unlike the overtime win over Toronto, where DeRozan played hero ball offensively and Alex Caruso worked his defensive magic, this win felt like it lasted longer. Although the Bulls attempted to make a season-low 17 3-pointers, coach Billy Donovan said he saw improvements in what he would like to see from the Bulls’ offense stylistically – quick decisions, going downhill and attacking more.
“I think we tried to live out that identity the whole game,” Donovan said. “The last six to eight minutes is where you start to really look at the matchups. But I thought we tried to move the ball.”
—Vucevic finished the game with 24 points, 17 rebounds and three assists on 10-for-19 shooting and could have scored more if he hadn’t uncharacteristically missed some close-up shots.
“My teammates did a really good job of finding me,” Vucevic said.
—Donovan felt the game was the best example of quick decision-making and equal opportunity on offense so far in the young season.
“There’s enough food for everyone,” Donovan said.
—The Bulls assisted on just 19 of 40 field goals, but that was mostly the result of missed shots after multiple passes while in possession.
“I didn’t feel like the ball was stuck. Even though there was one possession where there weren’t many passes, it was crucial. “The moment we start holding the ball and sizing up guys, the floor shrinks, everyone helps us and it’s really hard to play like that,” Donovan said. “You can have such possessions, but you cannot maintain them.”
DeRozan made 19 shots and LaVine finished with 17. The Bulls also repeatedly attacked the basket down the stretch, with DeRozan taking advantage of a duel with Tyrese Haliburton to either drive or pass to Vucevic for a layup. LaVine also had a driving layup on this stretch.
“We were more patient as we read what they were doing defensively,” Vucevic said. “We attacked certain matchups and attacked the paint. We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, but we stuck with it and continued to attack the paint. Now it’s time: Are we doing this consistently?”
—The Bulls continue to perform well on offense, a weakness last season. They finished the game with 10 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points. Vucevic caused the most damage, with Andre Drummond and Torrey Craig also taking part. Before the game, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who coached Craig, called him “an elite offensive rebounder.” Craig was hit in the face and eye by Bennedict Mathurin and wore an ice pack during the extremely physical game, which also featured a minor scuffle between Zach LaVine and several Pacers as they physically trapped LaVine late. LaVine drew a technical foul.
—Coby White recorded a steal and sank a 3-pointer just 19 seconds after tipoff after failing to score in the previous game. He also briefly left the game and bench area in the third quarter after taking a strong hit from Aaron Nesmith during a tackle. White moved to attack early in the game and has played well defensively earlier this season.
—Donovan played Jevon Carter for 18 minutes and Carter responded with his first double-digit scoring output of the young season. He also teamed with Ayo Dosunmu to make a great defensive play early in the fourth period. First, Dosunmu blocked Myles Turner as he rose for an apparent dunk. After Turner collected the loose ball, Carter stripped it on the way up for his next attempt, leading to a LaVine layup in transition.
—Donovan kept Patrick Williams longer in his first rotation stint. After going scoreless in the last game and barely playing in the fourth quarter of the last two games, Williams played the first 8 minutes and 55 seconds. He packed a lot into this first stint. The good? Two strong drives, including a make, with two rebounds, a steal and a block. The bad? He handed over an offensive rebound to Obi Toppin, had a shot blocked and allowed two straight drives, one coming when he slipped on a wet spot.
Williams finished the game with nine points and four rebounds in 22 minutes. Alex Caruso closed again.
“I thought he played well. His energy was much better. He was aggressive. He tried to get downhill. He was active on the glass,” Donovan said. “As the game developed, from experience I was probably just finishing up with Alex.”
—Donovan used DeRozan again when the starter “staggered” to play with the second unit. He’s done it twice now with LaVine and twice with DeRozan. Donovan said he could continue to play alternately in upcoming games.
—DeRozan and Craig laughed after the morning shootout as DeRozan blithely attempted to recreate the one-legged, game-winning 3-pointer he drained over Craig in this building on New Year’s Eve 2021. Craig had been stalking DeRozan most of the game and DeRozan shot 7 for 23 before his heroics. “What did you shoot in that game?” Craig asked. “We won,” DeRozan countered, smiling.
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