Chicago Bulls: Starters outplayed in disappointing home loss to Raptors

The Chicago Bulls’ home opener was not an event to remember. The familiar rims of the United Center and a pumped-up crowd could not counter an experienced Raptors team that blew the game open by the end of the third quarter.

The Chicago Bulls did not live up to the task of competing against last year’s NBA Champion Toronto Raptors. Outplayed in every facet of the game, the Bulls clearly have a long way to go if they plan on competing for a playoff spot. Coming off a comeback victory in Memphis and playing their first back to back of the year, the three-point shooting and ball distribution was atrocious.

The game highlighted a few negative trends. The starting lineup again struggled. Lauri Markkanen for the second straight game was held under ten points after exploding for 35 on opening night. Zach LaVine, who scored 37 in last night’s comeback victory against Memphis, was held to only eleven points.

The Bulls assisted on a measly 16 of 29 baskets, had 16 turnovers, and shot only 30.2 percent from the field. Markkanen and LaVine ended the game minus 21 and 25 respectively.

Something obviously is not clicking.

There was a scare in the second quarter when Otto Porter left the game after taking a hard elbow to the face. He would return after half time and managed a total of nine points in 20 minutes of action. It was interesting to note that Shaq Harrison continues to be called off the bench to back up Porter and not Denzel Valentine.

Starting point guard Tomas Satoransky also continued to struggle with eight points and four assists. In general, the three new free agent signings are not blending as expected, especially Satoransky who had only eight points and four assists in 26 minutes of action.

The only bright spot was the continued strong play of the bench unit which tried to keep the team in the game.

At one point after a Luke Kornet three to start the second quarter, the Bulls had rattled off nine straight points to take a 26-24 lead. But once starters came back in, the bottom fell out. At one point in the quarter, the Bulls did not record a field goal for over four and a half minutes, allowing the Raptors to take a 43-36 lead and they never looked back.

The Raptors, who like the Bulls were playing their first back to back of the season, lost last night to the Celtics in Boston. Tonight, however, they displayed why they are still to be considered a top team in the East, even without superstar Kawhi Leonard. A balanced offense and strong rebounding overcame 22 turnovers. All five starters scored in double figures and Serge Ibaka came off the bench for 18.

The Raptors got 14 assists from their starting guards, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, and assisted on 27 of 38 baskets. Shooting 46.3 percent for the game and outrebounding the Bulls 59-45 were the biggest differences. The game was essentially over after three-quarters with Toronto holding a commanding 84-62 lead.

Pascal Siakam led all scorers with 19 points and Marc Gasol added 10 rebounds. Wendell Carter Jr., who led the Bulls with 12 points, also led the team with 11 boards.

The Bulls will now have to regroup as they hit the road again to play the winless New York Knicks. After this reality check against Toronto, fans will be waiting to see how Jim Boylen’s team responds to this embarrassing home performance.