Zach LaVine shines in Bulls’ preseason loss to Raptors – NBC Sports Chicago

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The Chicago Bulls suffered a 106-102 loss against the Toronto Raptors in their second-to-last preseason game at the United Center.

Here are 10 key takeaways from the defeat:

—As the regular season approaches, the “Big Three” players made appearances in the fourth quarter. DeMar DeRozan played fourth-quarter minutes for the first time in the preseason, while Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic sat after the third quarter. Coach Billy Donovan intends to give them regular rotational minutes in the team’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

—Although not officially announced, it seems likely that Coby White will start in the regular-season opener against Oklahoma City on October 25. White had a strong start, showcasing his skills on both ends of the court. He finished with 11 points and four assists but struggled with turnovers against Dennis Schroder. Despite a minor altercation, White remained on the court and contributed to the team’s performance.

—Patrick Williams had a tough time in the first half with a blocked shot and turnovers, leading to him being replaced early by Torrey Craig. Donovan often pairs Williams with the second unit, so this substitution was not unusual. However, Williams needs to improve his performance.

—Donovan called a timeout just 94 seconds into the second quarter due to defensive breakdowns and offensive stagnation. The team responded better after the timeout, with Ayo Dosunmu assisting Williams for a 3-pointer, and LaVine making significant contributions. Williams struggled again, resulting in Craig playing more minutes than him in the first half.

—LaVine performed well with 16 points in the first half and finished the game with 25 points. His offseason focus on improving his skills and overall fitness has paid off, as he displayed scoring abilities at all levels and strong chemistry with White.

—Despite the Bulls’ intention to increase their 3-point shooting, they fell short, attempting only 26 3-pointers against the Raptors. This reflected a trend from previous games, where they failed to meet the 30-attempt mark. However, they did attempt 38 3-pointers in a double overtime victory over the Nuggets.

—Craig and Carter brought energy in the third quarter through their defensive contributions, including steals and blocks. Williams made a critical turnover towards the end of the game, resulting in the Bulls’ 23rd turnover.

—Both Drummond and Vucevic had strong rebounding performances, with Vucevic achieving a 20-10 double-double. Drummond missed a double-double by failing to convert a breakaway dunk in the fourth quarter.

—Alex Caruso was sidelined for the second consecutive game due to a minor ankle injury. Coach Donovan assured that it’s not a serious injury and Caruso is expected to return for the next game as a precautionary measure.

—Darko Rajaković, the Raptors’ first-year coach, spoke highly of his former mentor Billy Donovan and the impact he had on his career. Rajaković credited Donovan for his support during the job interview process and acknowledged the invaluable lessons learned from him.

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