After making a ton of roster changes in the last couple of weeks, thanks to a busy trade deadline day back on March 25, the Chicago Bulls have a rejuvenated group that looks ready to make a playoff run down the stretch. First-year head coach Billy Donovan looks like he and his squad are turning the corner for good in their last few games. In their last two games, the Bulls have triumphed over two playoff-caliber teams by comfortable margins.
On April 4, the Bulls downed the Brooklyn Nets (who were without superstars James Harden and Kevin Durant) at home at the United Center by an eight-point margin to snap a six-game losing skid. And then they extended their winning streak to two games with a solid double-digit win over the divisional foe Indiana Pacers on April 6 on the road.
Moving forward, the Bulls are going to heavily rely on the likes of star shooting guard Zach LaVine and former Orlando Magic big man Nikola Vucevic to shoulder the load. LaVine and Vooch played well together of late, sparking this two-game winning streak for Donovan and the Bulls to begin a crucial schedule through the month of April.
However, LaVine also had his focus on something else recently. When the two-time All-Star selection and fellow Washington native guard Isaiah Thomas was picked up by the New Orleans Pelicans on a 10-day contract back on April 3, it was noticed by the Bulls star.
Happy for my dawg @isaiahthomas Back doing what he do best!
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) April 7, 2021
Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine gives a shoutout to Isaiah Thomas
On his Twitter timeline on the afternoon of April 7, LaVine gave a shoutout to his longtime friend and fellow former All-Star guard Thomas after signing a new contract.
The former Boston Celtics star point guard and 32-year-old Thomas turned into a true NBA journeyman in the past few years. Since his runs with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Celtics ended in 2018, Thomas has already played for four different teams. Those four teams include the Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets.
He’s now played in two games with the Pelicans this season, providing them with a scoring spark and some experience in the backcourt rotation off the bench. Thomas averaged around 11 points per game, one rebound, three assists, one steal, and no blocks, in his two games with the Pelicans so far this season.
Since Thomas already has around 45 minutes under his belt with the Pelicans in just two games played, he could earn himself a role that keeps him around for the rest of the regular season at least.
Next up for LaVine and the Bulls is a meeting with the Toronto Raptors on the road on April 8. The Bulls will be looking to extend their winning streak to three games against the Raptors. Meanwhile, next up for Thomas and the Pels is a meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers at home on April 9.