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Bulls plan to start Markkanen in season opener

From calamity comes opportunity. At least, that's the case for Bulls rookie Lauri Markkanen.

Coach Fred Hoiberg confirmed Markkanen will start the opener in Toronto after an altercation left projected starter Nikola Mirotic injured and backup Bobby Portis suspended for eight games.

The 7-foot Markkanen, chosen with the No. 7 pick last June and sent to the Bulls in the Jimmy Butler trade, got a late start to preseason, missing the first three games with a sore back. Center Robin Lopez has confidence in Markkanen.

"I think he's ready to go out there 1-on-5 and play by himself," Lopez joked Wednesday. "But as I said throughout this whole session, if he bites off more than he can chew, it's on us to help him."

Even after going 1-for-9 from the field in his first exhibition, Markkanen was the Bulls' second-leading scorer during preseason at 11.7 points. He hit 7 of 12 shots from 3-point range in the past two games.

Hoiberg said the Bulls could use Paul Zipser at power forward in a smaller lineup and 6-7 veteran Quincy Pondexter should be available. Pondexter did not play in preseason and hasn't played the past two seasons due to knee injuries.

"For him (Markkanen), great opportunity," Hoiberg said. "For some of these other young players who are trying to make their mark in this league and solidify themselves as NBA players, it's a wonderful opportunity to get out and play."

Justin Holiday was the Bulls' top scorer in preseason at 17.2 points per game.

Hoiberg checks in:

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said he talked with both Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis after Tuesday's altercation.

"I went and spent time with Niko at the hospital yesterday, and I talked to Bobby again last night," Hoiberg said Wednesday. "Niko, he's hurting. There's no doubt about that. The important thing is to be there for both guys now as we mend this and move forward."

Hoiberg was asked about Portis' state of mind and whether he was remorseful.

"Yeah, absolutely. He'll be back in the building Friday, and we'll start the process of healing," Hoiberg said. "Bobby's a passionate kid. It's one of the reasons he's an excellent player and competitor."

Paxson likes culture:

Not that it matters, but John Paxson was asked about reports Bobby Portis threw a "sucker punch" that injured teammate Nikola Mirotic.

"I wouldn't call it a sucker punch," Paxson said. "They were both aggressive leading up to it and Bobby reacted the way he did, which was wrong.

"This is not something you want to have happen. But our culture has been about competing and playing hard. And that won't change. These things don't sit well with me, with us, with Jerry and Michael (Reinsdorf). There are consequences to actions. But we have to support our players and we will."

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