One of the more emotionally charged part of the night of Feb. 17, where the Chicago Bulls down the Detroit Pistons by the final score of 105-102, was an altercation between shooting guard/forward Josh Jackson and star shooting guard Zach LaVine.
For most of the game early on between the Bulls and Pistons on Feb. 17, it looked like the underdog was going to get the best of first-year head coach Billy Donovan and his team. Donovan, LaVine, and the Bulls came out of the gates slow. But it looked like that aforementioned altercation between LaVine and Jackson was just the spark that the Bulls needed.
Late in the third quarter, Jackson had the ball stripped from him by LaVine (one of his three steals on the night). The reaction from Jackson that ensued sparked something between him and LaVine. When Jackson tried to prevent the fast break and wrapped up LaVine, he did it in a way much more aggressive than usual.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1362235431681544195
LaVine’s play for the Chicago Bulls
Trash talk then followed from both LaVine and Jackson. But the play that LaVine gave the Bulls down the stretch was clearly what this team needed in the end. It’s hard to say for sure, but if Jackson could do that play all over again, he likely wouldn’t do it again.
"I don’t back down from anybody. The only person I’m scared of is God and my dad."
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) February 18, 2021
How 'angry' Zach LaVine flipped Bulls fortunes in comeback win over Pistonshttps://t.co/jjO8gr6o3r
Following the game LaVine stated the following: “I don’t back down from anybody”. And he mentioned that the only people he’s “scared of” are God and his dad. LaVine clearly made a statement with his words after the win, and with his play on the court in the fourth quarter.
In this three-point win for the Bulls over the Pistons, LaVine registered a team-high 37 points, along with five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. He shot an efficient 14-of-22 from the field, 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line.
After the win, LaVine and the Bulls carry a record of 12-15. They have now built up a two-game winning streak following their wins over the Indiana Pacers from back on Feb. 15 and the Pistons on Feb. 17. Next up for the Bulls is a meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers on the road on Feb. 19.