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Chicago Bulls: Breaking down Zach LaVine’s torrid scoring season

By Andrew Miller

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 05: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 05, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 05: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 05, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 27: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 27: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

This is definitely a career year for LaVine with the floundering Chicago Bulls. He is helping the Bulls win some big games lately which is a good sign for what’s to come next season. When the Bulls win this season, LaVine averages just a hair under 30 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the field. He’s averaging roughly eight points less per game and shooting five percent worse from the field in losses for the Bulls.

While getting a solid slot in the NBA Draft, especially in the lottery, is important for the Bulls something does need to give with the success on the court. Putting it all together with a young starting five led by LaVine is promising. You can see the visible change in the shot selection and effectiveness of LaVine’s offensive prowess now with the Bulls compared to the Timberwolves.

This season, LaVine averages 23.8 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. All three of those averages are good for career highs, at least so far. If his solid play out of the All-Star Break holds true through the end of the regular season, LaVine will achieve quite a few career best numbers. He’s also posted a career high in points in a single game this season in a win last month over the Boston Celtics, with 42.

LaVine then followed that up with another career high in the record-breaking 168-161 four overtime win over the Hawks on March 1, with 47 points.

The good news for the Bulls too is that LaVine is doing all of this while remaining efficient on offense. He is likely to set a career high in turnovers per game, but his usage rate is also the largest in his career thus far. He’s shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from three-point range, and 84.3 percent from the free-throw line.

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