Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine, Team Durant fall way short to Team LeBron

The 2021 NBA All-Star Game did not necessarily go as planned for star Chicago Bulls shooting guard and the 25-year-old former UCLA Bruin Zach LaVine on the night of March 7. At the home of the Atlanta Hawks, State Farm Arena in Georgia on March 7, LaVine and Team Durant couldn’t really get going in any one of the individual quarters in this year’s All-Star Game.

This weekend was the first opportunity for LaVine in his NBA career to shine in an All-Star Game. He also participated in the 3-Point Contest, although he wasn’t able to get past the first round after scoring 22 points on his sole attempt. LaVine fell short to the likes of the Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry (who scored 31 points) and Utah Jazz veteran point guard Mike Conley (who scored 28 points).

LaVine himself did perform better in the All-Star Game itself than he did the 3-Point Contest. He was good on both ends of the floor for Team Durant, although it didn’t help them beat Team LeBron in any individual quarter. Team Durant ultimately fell short to Team LeBron by a score of 170-150.

But Team Durant did come close to winning three of the four quarters, losing them by a margin of just one point each. Even the fourth quarter, where all Team LeBron had to do was reach 170 total points on the night, saw LaVine and Team Durant fall short by a margin of just one point.

How the Chicago Bulls star performed individually

LaVine played in 28 minutes on the floor for Team Durant in this All-Star Game this weekend. And he registered 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two turnovers. LaVine shot 5-of-10 from the field, 2-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 1-of-2 from the free-throw line.

Moreover, LaVine’s three steals were just one shy of the Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum of getting the game-high. Tatum had four on the night, and star Phoenix Suns veteran point guard Chris Paul tied LaVine with three.

It would’ve been nice to see LaVine get a win in his first career All-Star Game, but that didn’t wind up happening in the end. All in all, seeing LaVine participate in the All-Star Game this year in the first place was an awesome thing to witness.

The MVP honors for this All-Star Game wound up going to the Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis set All-Star Game records on this night, going a perfect 16-of-16 from the field, which let him walk away with a game-high 35 points.

LaVine and the Bulls will have their next game coming up against the Philadelphia 76ers at home at the United Center on the night of March 11. First-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls will carry a record of 16-18 into that meeting at home with the Sixers.