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Bulls GameRecap 1
The preseason comes to a close with the Chicago Bulls 126-120 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Matas Buzelis got off to a slow start, missing his first few shots, but quickly recovered with a transition dunk that helped him course correct. He finished with 19 points and yet again, scored efficiently, this time on 61.5 percent from the field and 40 percent on threes.
Buzelis’s scoring totals from the preseason:
10/7 @ Cleveland: 19 points, 63.6 field goal percentage
10/9 vs. Cleveland: 11 points, 42.9 field goal percentage
10/12 vs. Milwaukee: 19 points, 54.5 field goal percentage
10/14 @ Denver: 20 points, 58.3 field goal percentage
10/16 vs. Minnesota: 19 points, 61.5 field goal percentage
No doubt, an encouraging sign for the hopes of the Bulls future.
Josh Giddey was effective as a driver, getting into the lane and initiating contact to help him get to the free throw line for six attempts. He finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. He still relies heavily on the floater that he tried to smooth out of his game last season, but the improved production in the paint continues to generate good offense for the team.
Injury report
Tre Jones (foot), Kevin Huerter (groin) and Julian Phillips (knee) all returned to the lineup.
Isaac Okoro (knee) was out. He experienced some discomfort in his knee during the first half of Tuesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets. Donovan held him out of the second half of that game, as well as the preseason finale.
Patrick Williams (left hamstring) and Ayo Dosunmu (left thumb) were also out against the Wolves. Both injuries were designated as ‘precautionary’ by the team.
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Over the last few preseason games, Bulls coach Billy Donovan has explained the value of having multiple guards on the floor. With physicality and full court defense coming into vogue, the Bulls need to have outlets that allow them to get into their offense quickly, even if Giddey is picked up before the timeline.
With so many injuries, Donovan now pivoted to two guards and two bigs, with Jalen Smith starting next to Nikola Vucevic. Part of this was due to Okoro missing the game, but part was due to having to match up against Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert.
The Bulls will be flexible with rotations, including the starting five, even when healthy. — Will Gottlieb
Five down…83 (maybe 84) to go! Yes, that’s a Play In Tournament joke. Get used to ‘em. Just like we’re all used to the PIT and the Bulls’ inevitable place in it.
Coming into this season, I felt like Buzelis turning into a bonafide NBA star – and soon – was this team’s only possible hope at becoming a relevant and actually competitive team again. Buzelis didn’t necessarily show us anything new tonight against the T’Wolves –JK, I WROTE THIS BEFORE THAT CROSSOVER MOVE DOWN THE LANE THAT HE FINISHED OFF GLASS IN THE 4TH Q OMG – but he did show us that lethal combo of speed and verticality we’ve seen for awhile now. Some of those displays ending in ferocious dunks.
After five preseason games, I feel exactly the same way. This team will struggle on defense every night, and will have less talent on paper than their opponents more nights than not. But…Buzelis. Buzelis is the hope.
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Final side note from tonight and preseason as a whole – looot of guys on the injury report, headlined by Coby White. We saw how much the Bulls half court offense struggled in these exhibition games without White. If he has to miss real time…eek. Hoping that he and his half-dozen teammates who missed preseason games with injuries are close to 100% healthy when the real games start. — Matt Peck
Preseason is done!!!!! Cannot wait till the start of the regular season next week.
Bulls 1st quarter preseason starts have been as predictable as the sunrise and sunset:
Sunrise: Starters get off to a slow start
Sunset: Bulls bench comes in and rights the ship
Jones will be impossible to get off the floor. He is so steady. He handles the bawl well, sets up the half court offense and is great at getting steals on the defensive end of the floor. Expect to see him out there A LOT this season. He’s earned it.
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I had a mini freak out seeing Dosunmu with a brace on his left hand. Good to hear it’s precautionary (honestly I’m still a little queasy about it).
I don’t know how often we’ll see the big man lineup during the season but it was ok. Not good, not great but ok. Good to see Smith getting tick.
Huerter will be the starter opening night for the Bulls. Book it (Peace to Joe Cowley). — Big Dave
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