Chicago Bulls crush Los Angeles Lakers in 20-point win

In a Friday night matchup, the Chicago Bulls kicked off the start of Las Vegas Summer League with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Here’s a look at how the Bulls appear to be setting the tone early on to establish a winning culture.

If you were expecting a little nostalgia with watching the Chicago Bulls on Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, you picked the right game.

The Bulls made an appearance on national television for the first time in a long time.

It was only Summer League action, but there was plenty to note.

It’s no secret the Bulls are in the middle of a rebuild looking to reclaim some relevancy in the league.

The Bulls have quietly had a strong offseason this summer with acquisitions made in free agency and through the NBA Draft.

Did it show during the Bulls’ Summer League matchup?

I think yes.

Headlining the Bulls’ Summer League lineup most notably were Coby White, Daniel Gafford, Chandler Hutchison, Shaquille Harrison and Walt Lemon Jr.

Questions surfaced for many about the Bulls’ roster in the days leading up to their meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers.

News broke early on that Wendell Carter Jr. would not suit up to play for the Bulls during Summer League due to a core muscle injury. Not to forget to mention, reports show that White tweaked his ankle, which led to speculation that he may not play, either.

Optimism was restored with White taking to the floor for his first glimpse into NBA action.

The matchup appeared to be a guaranteed win for the Bulls at times, but things didn’t always go according to plan.

A few lead changes allowed the game to become more competitive down the stretch.

Let’s take a quarter-by-quarter look at what went down as the Bulls sealed a win over the Lakers.

First quarter

It was an offensive clinic particularly for the Bulls as they showcased their Summer League roster.

Head Coach Jim Boylen wasn’t coaching, but his aura and his vision for the Bulls were felt and amplified by members of the team as they competed.

Seriously, you ask?

I think yes.

The guards played rather efficiently early on.

Harrison was active getting after it on defense clearing the way for opportunities for instant offense.

White made some good decisions to get his teammates involved early on.

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1147294582620639233

Bulls led it after one, 29-14.

Second quarter

The Bulls had their share of ups and downs as the game progressed.

The Bulls played unselfishly whether moving the ball to find the open man or making sure to provide help with a putback slam as Adam Mokoka did, here, after Harrison missed a tough layup at the rim.

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1147311939585896448

Several contributed to the Bulls’ struggles at times, preventing the team from maximizing its possessions without turning over the ball.

Defense helped, in part, to keep the Bulls afloat. Gafford was particularly active at this end of the floor.

The Bulls led the Lakers by 50-40 at halftime.

Third quarter

After a shaky first half, White bounced back trying to help his team in a variety of ways.

It helps the way White runs the floor on and off the ball, making himself available to teammates to capitalize on fast break opportunities.

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1147294582620639233

Despite a good showing by the Bulls, the game became close at times.

Why, you ask?

The Bulls took to beyond the arc for several unsuccessful shot attempts.

It didn’t help when Bulls showcased some defensive lapses at times, giving the Lakers the hope necessary to stage a comeback before the game got too out of hand.

The Bulls managed to maintain a lead thanks, in part, to the connections made on the floor between Lemon and Gafford.

Check it out.

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1147314015929917441

The Bulls led it after three, 70-63.

Fourth quarter

The Lakers came in with a bit of momentum to start the fourth quarter.

Things didn’t go according to plan.

It wasn’t until the fourth quarter when the lead continued to grow that the game was made to look like a guaranteed win for the Bulls.

The Bulls and their defense benefitted from having the presence of Gafford in the frontcourt. Gafford provided much-needed shot blocking in several instances, including one at the 8:20 mark.

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1147318634718486528

Another thing that happened in the fourth quarter was a first for the Bulls that night. Hutchison completed a three-point shot to put an end to his team’s streak of bad luck

Hutchison was the only Bull to connect from deep.

At 1-for-20, it appears the Bulls were riding the struggle bus in that regard.

The Bulls managed to execute at both ends of the floor otherwise as the Lakers’ chances of winning started to slip farther away.

The Bulls beat the Lakers by the end of regulation, 96-76.

Next game

The Bulls will have Saturday off before they face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night in Las Vegas. The scheduled start time for that one is set for 6:30 p.m. CST.