Andre Drummond believes he nonetheless ought to be an NBA starter. On Tuesday in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks, he bought his first alternative to make that case in Chicago.
In 113 video games since signing with the Bulls, Drummond had completely come off the bench. That’s as a result of beginning heart Nikola Vučević had performed each sport in that span — till Tuesday, when Vučević missed his first sport since April 2022 with a groin harm. Drummond began in his place, his first begin as a Bull.
It was a important second for Drummond, who has been open about his need to play extra minutes.
“I’m doing what I can with the minutes I get,” Drummond instructed the Tribune earlier this month. “I’m just making the best of it. For me it’s never easy. But at the end of the day, I’ve got to look at the bigger picture. Coach sees something that he believes will work for the team to help us win. I’m all for it. My job is to be as supportive as possible for those guys who are in the game.”
Drummond entered Tuesday’s sport averaging 13.5 minutes, the third-fewest within the common rotation forward of solely Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry. Despite the sparse court docket time, he was averaging 6.8 rebounds, 6.2 factors and 0.4 blocks.
He made the beginning place his personal Tuesday, main the group with 24 factors and 25 rebounds — his forty fifth profession sport with 20-plus factors and rebounds. Drummond’s efficiency lifted the Bulls on each side of the court docket as they got here again from a 12-point deficit to safe a 118-113 win.
Here are three different takeaways from the sport.
1. Nikola Vučević’s absence added to wider harm considerations.
The Bulls aren’t used to enjoying with out Vučević. In the almost three years since he joined the Bulls, Vučević has missed solely 13 video games, together with Tuesday’s. Seven of these absences had been as a result of a COVID-19 prognosis in 2021. The final time he sat out earlier than Tuesday was April 10, 2022, when coach Billy Donovan sat many of the starters for the final regular-season sport to organize for the primary spherical of the playoffs.
Ahead of his 82nd sport final season, Vučević famous that being accessible for each sport has been some extent of delight all through his profession. It additionally has been a key issue for the Bulls, who’ve benefited from the fixed availability of veteran stars resembling Vučević and DeMar DeRozan.
But Vučević’s absence Tuesday was a mirrored image of a wider — and extra regarding — theme for the Bulls.
Donovan mentioned an MRI confirmed a strained left groin for Vučević. The harm occurred Saturday in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers when he contested a dunk by Max Strus, whose knee swung into Vučević’s groin.
Donovan mentioned Vučević went to the group services Tuesday for remedy, and an estimated return date is unclear.
“A lot of it is going to be how he responds to rehab,” Donovan mentioned.
The Bulls have absorbed accidents all through this season, bettering steadily after Zach LaVine was sidelined and persevering with to choose up wins after Torrey Craig joined the harm listing. But they’ve finished so by leaning closely on three starters: Vučević, DeRozan and Coby White.
White (1,081), DeRozan (1,058) and Vučević (1,054) had been first, third and fourth within the league, respectively, in complete minutes performed coming into Tuesday. All three are hardy and identified for his or her willingness to play by ache and discomfort. But this excessive quantity of minutes is an invite for harm — one which has claimed Vučević a minimum of within the quick time period.
2. The Bulls struggled to maneuver the ball within the second quarter.
The Bulls reversed a sample that plagued them by the primary 20 video games of the season, taking an early lead within the first quarter earlier than digging themselves right into a gap within the second quarter.
After main by 11 on the finish of the primary, the Bulls struggled to take care of their scoring. The Hawks outscored them 39-22 within the second quarter, together with a 13-2 run.
The Bulls went 0-for-5 behind the 3-point arc and logged solely two assists within the quarter. That was a part of a wider development for the Bulls, who logged solely eight assists on 18 made baskets within the first half.
Breaking out of this sluggish begin was key for the Bulls, who almost doubled their assists within the second half to reinvigorate the offense. They completed with 23 assists on 42 made baskets.
3. The Bulls shot beneath 30% from 3-point vary for the third consecutive sport.
Hot capturing has helped to energy the Bulls by this 9-4 streak over the previous month. But after capturing 40% or higher behind the arc in seven of 9 video games, issues have begun to even out the final three video games.
The Bulls completed 7-for-25 (28%) behind the arc Tuesday. White went 0-for-7 and hasn’t made a 3-pointer in two video games.
Despite the off night time from lengthy vary, the Bulls shot 45.7% from the sphere as they went 35-for-67 (52.2%) contained in the arc. DeRozan buoyed the offense, scoring 11 of his 25 factors within the fourth quarter.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com