Bulls close out preseason with an OT win over Cavaliers |
CHICAGO—Just like that, the Preseason is over, and it was a success for the Chicago Bulls. They closed out the Preseason with a 3-2 record, including a two-game winning streak to end the postseason. They finished it off with a 139-137 OT victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
Although this is only the Preseason, and none of what they do now will count toward the regular season, there was a lot to like from what the fans saw thus far. That all starts with this team's overall offensive production, as they not only had seven players land in double figures but all five starters, as they continue to move the ball well. Sticking with the offense, fans have to like the improved three-point shooting. They knocked down 19 more triples on 56 attempts and seemed destined to be more of a three-point threat as a team. You also have the young guys in Julian Phillips and Matas Buzellis showing up, as the Bulls do seem to have more depth this season than in the past. When it comes to this team's concerns, defense is at the top of the list. The Bulls were not a great defensive team in the Preseason, and it doesn't appear that they will be at any point this season. Patrick Williams is also a concern. Although he did step up his game in the final two showings, he is still one of the concerns for this team this season. Getting back to the game against the Cavs last night, the Bulls not only found themselves down by six at the end of the first, but they trailed by seven at the half as their defense struggled to slow down the offensive attack. The same thing can be said about the second half, but the Bulls managed to cut the deficit to one heading into the fourth after outscoring them 38-32 in the third and then again 38-37 in the fourth to force OT before closing them out in the extra frame. A big reason for the Bulls' success was a starting five that all scored in double figures, with Ayo Dosunmu leading the way with 19 points. The fourth-year player will have a massive role on the Bulls this season, whether as a sixth man or potentially as a starter. Dosunmu was joined by a cast of strong players, Nikola Vucevic and Zach Lavine adding 18 points. Vucevic did it the typical Vooch way by pulling down 12 rebounds to post another double-double. Lavine added six rebounds and six assists. For the first time in two years, he seems to have bought into what Billy Donovan is preaching this season and is more comfortable with how things are being run offensively. Rounding out the starters for the Bulls were Coby White with 14 points and eight assists and Patrick Williams chipping in with 10. While the starting five will play a massive role in the Bulls' overall success, Chicago does have a bench capable of making things happen. Jalen Smith is a massive reason for that, as he added 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds. However, the biggest story of the Preseason continues to be Lonzo Ball, who played his first game in over 1,000 days the other day. Expected to be on a minutes limit all season, Ball is making the most of his opportunity as he added 11 points to the Bulls second unit after finishing with 10 on Wednesday and it looks like he hasn't missed a beat. Jalen Carter finished with nine points, a preseason high, as Talen Horton-Tucker (9 points) and Buzellis (7 points) rounded out the day for the Bulls. Like the Bulls, Cleveland had all five of its starters land in double figures, but that was it, as its bench couldn't duplicate Chicago's success. However, with three 20-point scorers in its starting five, it almost didn't need its bench. Jarrett Allen led the way with 25 points. Allen pulled in 16 rebounds, 10 of which were on the defensive end, as he continues to be a matchup issue for the Bulls. Another player who had a massive game was Darius Garland, who looks to be in midseason with his 23 points and five assists. Donovan Mitchell added 22 points, and these two will again be the engines that make this team go. Evan Mobley got in on the fun with 15 points and ten rebounds as the Cavaliers will continue to post one of the bigger starting lineups in the game, capable of giving plenty of teams fits. Rounding out the Cavaliers starting five and double-digit scorers was Dean Wade who added 14 points while displaying his impressive outside touch with four triples. Despite having no one on their bench score more than nine points, Cleveland did have plenty of production to go around, with Caris LeVert leading the way with nine points and Jaylon Tyson picking up eight. Next up for the Bulls will be the regular season opening on Wednesday when they face off against the New Orleans Pelicans.
