Parker's defense saves Chicago Bulls in 1-point win over Cleveland
Ryan Arcidiacono got his first NBA start Saturday night against Cleveland and scored a career-high 15 points, but it all came down to the finish.
After a Bulls turnover, the Cavaliers took possession with 13 seconds remaining and trailing by a point. New Cavs coach Larry Drew decided to test Arcidiacono's defense and cleared the court so rookie guard Collin Sexton could go at him 1-on-1.
Arcidiacono held his own, forcing Sexton to miss a short bank shot. J.R. Smith kept the rebound alive and it landed in Sexton's hands for a second chance, but this time Jabari Parker, of all people, came up with a game-saving block and the Bulls won 99-98 at the United Center.
"It's a challenge. I think I'm a solid defender within what we do," Arcidiacono said. "It's just 1-on-1 and who can be a better player at the end of the game. Since we were able to get a stop, I thought I did good job on him."
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg decided to make the switch at point guard and reward Arcidiacono, who has played well all season. Cameron Payne, who had started most of the season, didn't play at all Saturday since newcomer Shaq Harrison got the reserve minutes.
This also might have been Zach LaVine's most highlight-filled game of the season. The two-time, slam-dunk contest champ casually dropped in a 360 spin before finishing a fastbreak dunk in the first half. LaVine also had a couple of plays reminiscent of Michael Jordan, an acrobatic up-and-under reverse lay-in after a baseline drive and a free-throw putback where he flew in from the 3-point line and dunked a miss by Wendell Carter Jr.
LaVine led the Bulls (4-9) with 24 points and 5 assists. Arcidiacono and Carter scored 15 each, followed by Parker with 13.
The Bulls' starting lineup looked great against the Cavs (1-11), owners of the NBA's worst record. They jumped out to a 37-23 lead while shooting 64 percent from the field.
But they gave up the lead in the second quarter and had to fight all the way through the late-game defensive heroics of Arcidiacono and Parker.
Sexton recently joined the starting lineup himself after an injury to veteran George Hill. The rookie from Alabama scored 20 points Saturday and was glad to get the call on the final possession.
"I got there, I just need to finish next time," said Sexton, who was chosen one pick after Carter in last June's draft. "I'm going to make it next time."
Some of the Bulls were filled with praise for Arcidiacono after the game, especially Parker.
"I love all my teammates, especially Archie," Parker said. "He plays hard. That's a person I aspire to be and look up to in my life."
LaVine felt there was a good chemistry between the new backcourt mates. Even though this was Arcidiacono's first start of the season, he has finished several games with the rest of the starters.
"Archie, he's not scared of anything, he'll run through a wall for you," LaVine said. "Even if he makes a mistake, he's doing it with effort and he cares. He's great. He's been doing it in practice, he was doing it last year. I love Arch."
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