Markkanen finally returns in Bulls' loss to Houston
The Bulls' long, long wait to get some injured players back finally ended Saturday in Houston, when Lauri Markkanen made his season debut after recovering from a right elbow sprain.
The good news was limited on the Bulls' side. They put up a fight for a while, but lost to the Rockets 121-105 at the Toyota Center.
Markkanen was a little rusty, as expected, but produced 10 points and 4 rebounds in 26 minutes of action. He hit 4 of 14 shots overall and 2 of 6 from 3-point range.
"Missed some easy shots, but I think I played decent defense, at least. I tried to make an impact there," Markkanen told reporters after the game. I'm not worried about my shots. I've just got to get my legs back."
Zach LaVine got back on track, scoring 29 points after a getting a season-low 8 the previous night in Detroit. Jabari Parker added 21 points and 12 rebounds.
A night after scoring a career-high 28 points, rookie center Wendell Carter Jr. had 8 points and 8 rebounds against Houston. The Bulls needed some help from the 3-point line, getting outscored 16-8 in long-range baskets. James Harden led the Rockets with 30 points.
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg didn't waste any time experimenting with new lineups. There were a couple of time when they used a front line of Markkanen, Parker and Carter while the Rockets had essentially four guards on the floor with center Clint Capela. Markkanen found himself matched against Harden and Paul a few times.
"I think (Parker) and Lauri can play very well together and I think Lauri can play very well with Wendell," Hoiberg said. "I think that's the future of this franchise is those two guys on your front line and it's good to have Jabari out there right now with them.
"We've got to get (Parker) re-acclimated to playing the three. He's one of the more talented players on this roster, so we're going to have to get some lineups practicing together and get them used to each other."
This game turned out to be a mirror image of Friday's loss in Detroit. The Rockets started red hot, the Bulls settled down and pulled close in the third quarter. But the comeback faded quickly.
Houston shot 60 percent in the opening quarter and led 38-22 after 12 minutes. Markkanen played two different segments in the first half and air-balled his first jumper, but knocked down his first attempt from 3-point range.
The Bulls were better defensively in the second quarter and trailed 56-46 at halftime. Parker had it going early in the third and his 3-point play brought the Bulls within 62-58. The Bulls came up empty on their next five possessions, though. Markkanen checked back in and hit a driving layup to make it 67-60, but the Bulls missed their next three shots and Houston pulled away.
"I was just so excited to get back out there," Markkanen said. "Obviously, I haven't played in two-something months. All I played was like two practices in training camp. But I think it's going to be good."
Next up on the injury watch are Kris Dunn and Bobby Portis, who should return from knee sprains in the next week or two. Hoiberg suggested those two will practice with the Windy City Bulls on Tuesday and skip a one-day trip to Indiana.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls