Chicago Bulls: 2 studs, 1 dud from commanding win over the Blazers

Studs for the Chicago Bulls from the commanding win over the Blazers: Nikola Vucevic

This win over the Blazers saw the Bulls get mostly solid results from their big three. And that all started with a productive afternoon from the two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. It’s crucial for Vucevic to find his confidence so that he can become a consistent contributor for the Bulls’ starting unit down the stretch this season.

As he’s looking to try to prove that he belongs in the All-Star conversation this season after a spirited run with the Bulls in the last few games, Vucevic had another solid outing against the Blazers. And this was an important game for him to shine in taking on another standout center in Jusuf Nurkic from the Blazers.

Vucevic was a dominant force down low on both ends of the floor for the Bulls in this game. He completely outplayed Nurkic on both ends of the floor too, which was a huge factor in the Bulls coming out with the double-digit win.

Vucevic came up with a team-high with two-dozen points on an efficient 11-of-15 shooting from the field, 1-of-2 from beyond the arc, and he hit his lone attempt from the free-throw line. He also gave the Bulls a game-high 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, and one turnover.

This was a solid outing from almost every angle for Vucevic. If he keeps up the way he’s played lately for the Bulls, this big three is going to be maybe the most potent in the Eastern Conference in the second half of the season.