With or without LaVine, Bulls keep focus on sharing
Every couple of weeks the Bulls seem to be streaming a new episode of their season-long soap opera, featuring the twists and turns of Zach LaVine.
The latest chapter is a turn of the right ankle. LaVine is expected to miss a week or two with the sprain. He stepped on an opponent's foot while driving to the basket on Thursday in Toronto.
Without LaVine, the Bulls coasted to an easy 125-96 victory over the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at the United Center. Seven players finished in double figures for the Bulls, led by Ayo Dosunmu with 20 points. DeMar DeRozan added 18 and Coby White 17.
Patrick Williams took LaVine's place in the starting lineup and had a nice game, with 15 points, 2 steals and an impressive block.
“We're trying to figure out how to win games without (LaVine),” Williams said. “I think that would be the case for anybody. When T-Craig comes back, it will be the same with him.
“Would love to have him here. Can't wait til he gets back. But we have to hold down the fort until that's possible.”
The Grizzlies were missing Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Derrick Rose, Brandon Clarke and Xavier Tillman due to injury. West Chicago native John Konchar got a starting assignment in his hometown and produced 6 assists and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes.
When LaVine missed several weeks with a foot injury, the Bulls (21-23) perked up right away and got back into the playoff race. As it stands today, they've gone 11-8 without LaVine and 10-15 with him.
The story when he first left the lineup was ball movement. The Bulls hit a season-high 32 assists in the first two games after LaVine went out with a foot injury on Nov. 30.
They matched that with 32 assists against Memphis. It was the Bulls' highest total since Dec. 14, but they also hit the 30-assist level four times this month with LaVine on the court.
There was a noticeable difference in LaVine's stat line from the early part of the season to the January return. LaVine went from averaging 8.3 assists plus rebounds per game to 12.2 after returning on Jan. 5.
“I think he's done a good job,” coach Billy Donovan said before the game. “I think he's defended well, I think he's moved the ball, I think he's made good decisions, his assist totals are up. I think he's been playing complete games. So I think he's been playing well.”
So what does the ankle injury mean for LaVine's future? Well, the chances of the Bulls making a trade before the Feb. 8 deadline were already slim, so probably no difference there.
The biggest unknown is whether basketball operations boss Arturas Karnisovas is ready to make any kind of deal to end this saga or if he's determined to get at least something or someone helpful in return.
Donovan has stayed remarkably calm and supportive throughout this ordeal, while the trade rumor first surfaced in November, LaVine's body language took a turn for the worse and the team looked awful on the court.
On Saturday, Donovan talked about when he first got to the Bulls, LaVine was the only player who could consistently create his own shot and filled that role. Now the goal is to keep the ball moving.
“When you're successful doing something at a high level for a period of time, what you've got to start looking at is, 'How important is winning to you?'” Donovan said. “I think winning has been important to Zach. What he had to do my first year here is maybe different than what he has to do this year.”
The Bulls will leave Sunday for their first trip to the West Coast this season, with games against Phoenix, the Lakers and Portland.
Twitter: @McGrawDHSports