Chicago Bulls: A Nikola Vucevic absence vs. Raptors would be costly

On the night of Oct. 25, the Chicago Bulls and second-year head coach Billy Donovan gets set to take on the Toronto Raptors in the second road game of the regular season. Donovan and the Bulls are looking to stay undefeated against the Raptors, who are in a “prove it” mode themselves, looking to rebound from a disappointing 2020-21 campaign under head coach Nick Nurse.

But the Bulls might be in a bad position heading into this game as there is one key name showing up on the injury report that was not expected. The Bulls reportedly could be missing the former Orlando Magic star center, and newly turned 31-year-old, Nikola Vucevic for this meeting with the Raptors on the road on Oct. 25.

Vucevic is “listed as questionable” for the Bulls for the Raptors game thanks to an illness. It seems like even if Vucevic is able to go for the Bulls on this night, he would likely be limited minutes-wise since he is dealing with an illness. That is often the nature of this type of injury.

Chicago Bulls have Nikola Vucevic listed as questionable vs. Raptors on Oct. 25

Moreover, Vooch is off to an unusual start by his usual standards this season. He usually gets off to a hot start offensively but isn’t often a plus defender (especially out of the gates). Vooch has largely reversed that trend through the preseason, and the three games to start off this regular season slate.

Through three games, Vooch has averaged around 13 points per game, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks, and three turnovers. And he’s shot a poor 35 percent from the field, 25 percent from beyond the arc, and 75 percent from the free-throw line.

That is not the type of start that most likely anticipated Vooch would get off to this season. What is even more confounding is the defensive production from Vooch so far. He actually is tied for the NBA lead in defensive win shares thus far, with 0.4.

And he’s registered a -3.0 offensive box plus/minus and a 1.2 defensive box plus/minus.

The way that Vooch is contending and disrupting the opposition on defense is a new trend in his game. And that would be a welcome addition if he’s soon able to right the ship with his offensive efficiency.

Donovan and the Bulls are set to carry a spotless record of 3-0 into this meeting with the Raptors, following a solid 97-82 win over the Detroit Pistons at home at the United Center on Oct. 23. Tip-off time between the Bulls and Raptors on Oct. 25 is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.