Chicago Bulls: Otto Porter’s solid outing wasted vs. Milwaukee
Since trading for Otto Porter from Washington last week, the new Chicago Bulls wing has put up impressive numbers. The 25-year old had another great outing.
The Chicago Bulls – who only play two games this week because of the start of the All-Star break – had a tall task in front of them when Giannis Antetokounmpo and the best team in the NBA, Milwaukee Bucks visited the United Center. Led by the Greek Freak’s double-double (27 points, 17 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocks), Milwaukee cruised to victory as the Bulls drop lower in the standings and closer to a top-3 pick.
However, not all was bad as the Chicago Bulls may have found their new starting wing in Otto Porter Jr. Since acquiring Porter from the Washington Wizards last Wednesday for forwards, Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis, Porter – who played alongside All-Star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal before being traded – has flourished since changing addresses.
Although it has only been a small sample size, Porter has scored in double digits in 3 of his games started with the Bulls and has knocked down at least two three-pointers in each of those contests. Tonight, the 25-year old scored 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc to go along with 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.
Porter not only has affected the game when the ball is in his hands, but when he’s not touching the ball. Since joining the Chicago Bulls, you could see the fluidity of the ball movement and the opening of lanes. A career 40 percent three-point shooter, defenses have to respect Porter thus allowing players like Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and Lauri Markkanen to have open lanes for a easy bucket.
Head coach Jim Boylen has even experimented with his lineups at times inserting Porter at the Center position and settling with a very “small ball” lineup. The lineup consists of LaVine playing point guard alongside Ryan Arcidiacano while shooters Wayne Selden and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot play small forward and power forward.
Although this lineup may cause the Bulls to have trouble against bigger lineups defensively, it allows them on offense to space the floor and show how versatile Porter can be. Dunn had to exit the game late after suffering a nasty fall going up for a layup.
He eventually checked back in, but he probably should’ve stayed sitting as he had a game to forget going only 1-for-9 from the field and 6 assists. This allowed LaVine to take over floor general duties and he didn’t disappoint as he dished out 7 assists to go along with his team-high 27 points. He only had 2 turnovers.
dark. Next. Game grades from loss to the Milwaukee Bucks
It’s been a week of reunions for Chicago as of late with Nikola Mirotic (DNP) returning tonight. Mirotic was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans at last Thursday’s trade deadline. The Chicago Bulls play their last game before the All-Star Break on Wednesday as they welcome back another former Bull in Joakim Noah. Hopefully they can go into the All-Star Break 100 percent healthy. It’s been much needed after a forgetful first half of the season.