Takeaways from the Chicago Bulls loss to the Cavaliers: Desperately in need of Zach LaVine’s return
This one could easily have been guessed when the team initially lost LaVine due to health and safety protocols. The Bulls back to back wins against the Cavaliers and Celtics made it seem as if they could survive a few more without their all-star guard, though.
If anyone did forget, this game should serve as a reminder. The Bulls desperately need LaVine back in order to make a serious push for the play-in games.
While Garrett Temple is a solid veteran who has done a fine job in filling in for LaVine, it simply is a job he is not capable of doing to the extent the Bulls need. We know great team defense isn’t rounding the corner for this group, and LaVine helps his team avoid embarrassing starts like the team had tonight.
He also helps ease some of the pressure on Vucavic as the team’s primary scorer. When LaVine is out there, teams have to be careful of how they defend every other player on the court. Additionally, he opens up so many opportunities for his teammates.
Finally, his scoring ability is obviously the greatest asset he has. Without him as the primary option, the Bulls have to rely far too much on inconsistent players like Coby White and Lauri Markkanen.
With the Bulls running out of time to make a real run at the playoffs, they have never been so desperate to see their star player return to the court. We don’t know when that will happen yet, but for the Bulls, it can’t come soon enough.