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Chicago Bulls: LaVine Propels Chicago to 1st Victory of 2019

By Erick Montoya

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 21: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 21, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 21: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 21, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In a battle of struggling teams, the Chicago Bulls looked to end their 10-game losing streak in Cleveland. With a bounce-back performance from Zach LaVine, the Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 104-88 leading them to their first victory of 2019 on MLK Day.

In a game where not that many wins matter, but an important game nonetheless in terms of who will pick ahead of who when the NBA Draft comes around in June was up for grabs. The Chicago Bulls young core of Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Chandler Hutchison, and Lauri Markkanen came ready to play as they put their 10-game losing streak behind them.

Kris Dunn was dishing out dimes early and often in the first half including this alley-oop lob to LaVine.  Kris finished the game with 13 points to go along with 9 assists. Dunn needs to continue putting up these kind of performances if he wants to remain part of the core going into next season.

22nd overall pick, Chandler Hutchison had a solid game as well. Finishing with 8 points on 2-of-3 shooting, 1-1 from the arc, Chandler also pulled down 9 rebounds in 32 minutes of playing time. Chandler does the small things and it’s impressive to see him pull down rebounds given his size for a small forward. It’s great to watch him develop as he gets more playing time with the starting five.

Bobby Portis played spectacular off the bench as he shot an efficient 60% (6-of-10) from the field to go for 15 points and 5 rebounds. Lauri Markkanen – who had the second most shot attempts (11) in today’s game – finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds.

It was an all-around team performance from the Chicago Bulls, but it was the performance from Zach LaVine that was great to see and therefore earns player of the game honors.

Player of the Game: SG | Zach LaVine

After two consecutive off games against the Lakers and Nuggets, Zach LaVine posted his second straight 20-point game. Zach scored in a variety of ways ( 9-of-16 overall from the field, 3-of-6 from deep, 4-of-6 from the charity stripe).

Leading the team in points with 25, LaVine had 3 total dunks in a game for the first time since November 10th against, you guessed it the Cleveland Cavaliers. It just seems that LaVine plays well when the Bulls play the Cavs. In his two games versus the Cavaliers this season, LaVine combined for 49 points on 47.3% shooting from the field, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals.

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The Chicago Bulls are 3-0 against the Cavaliers this season and 27% of their total victories this season (11) come when facing Cleveland. The Bulls hope this victory will be a start of a win streak. Their next game is Wednesday versus the Atlanta Hawks.

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