Zach LaVine is clutch in Chicago Bulls’ win over Charlotte Hornets

Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine made an emphatic statement in Saturday night’s 116-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Here’s a look at what makes Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine my pick for Player of the Game.

It should come as no surprise to anyone as to which Bulls’ star stood out Saturday night.

LaVine let his game speak for itself after facing criticism in the media from head coach Jim Boylen. The ease at which LaVine helped turn what could’ve been another Bulls loss into a win is formidable.

In case you missed it, LaVine had received the crux of the blame, which I believe is unfair, for the Bulls’ 116-108 loss to the Miami Heat the night before. About that time, Boylen singled out LaVine for his role in what he says were three key defensive lapses serving as reason to sideline him.

The good news is LaVine did not get deterred by the criticism.  From being benched the night before and blacking out as LaVine called it, the last 24 hours have been a whirlwind for him and the Bulls. It’s a testament to his competitiveness and professionalism.

In a little more than 30 minutes, LaVine racked up 49 points by shooting 76% from three-point range and 60% from the field. At the same time, he made a concerted effort at the defensive end, which is something he’s improved upon and receives too much criticism for.

Things went according to plan early on with the Bulls accruing a 14-point lead, which made for the team’s largest.

However, the game didn’t always appear to favor the Bulls. As the third quarter got underway, the momentum started to shift toward the Hornets. It appeared the Bulls were going to let another winnable game get away.

By the sound of the final buzzer, the scoreboard read 116-115 in favor of the Bulls.

How, you ask?

It was a comeback effort anchored in large part by LaVine.

The rest is history as we know it.

LaVine, who ultimately completed the game-winning shot in a clutch situation, became the third player in NBA history to make 13 or more three-pointers in a game. In doing so, he joined elite company with Golden State Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

After the game, LaVine had this to say of his performance.

"He said it was the “craziest game I’ve ever been a part of.”"

I’d be kidding myself if I said Boylen is responsible for unleashing LaVine. LaVine is a scorer, and putting up 49-point performances is what scorers do.

The Bulls knew that LaVine had a hot hand from three-point range. The team did well to recognize that and feed him the ball.

Special credit goes to guards Ryan Arcidiacono, Tomas Satoransky and Coby White for their contributions. Down the stretch, the Bulls forced enough stops and completed the necessary shots to reverse the team’s circumstances.

The hope is the Bulls can use the momentum generated by Saturday’s victory to create a winning streak. This is a feat the team has not accomplished all season long.

Next up, the Bulls are expected to play the Portland Trail Blazers. The game starts Monday at 7 p.m. CST.