On March 13, the Bulls beat the Cavaliers 101-91 at home, and despite Lavin's absence, the Bulls still won the game under DeRozan and Vucevic. Substitute Captain Caruso made a comeback in this game, scoring 11 points, 4 assists and 4 steals. Caruso had previously recovered from a wrist injury for 50 days before returning. However, as soon as he returned, he had an immediate effect.
The Bulls took the initiative in the first half of the game, leading 53-42 and taking the initiative all the time. The Bulls scored well off the bench, scoring a total of 18 points, including Caruso with 11. However, the Bulls' second-team team is carried by DeRozan most of the time, the offensive firepower is guaranteed, and the defensive ability is super strong.
The Bulls bench lineup is all plus-minus, while the Cavaliers bench is all negative. Caruso was excellent on the defensive end, with four steals and Garland, Okoro, Osman and Goodwin all suffered.
Caruso is the perfect puzzle for a playoff-level team, he is very efficient in attack, and he is a defensive master, able to fill in the gaps.
Caruso came back after 50 days, immediately had an outstanding performance, and once again pierced the Heart of the Lakers. The Lakers originally chose to keep Tucker Jr. and gave up the renewal of Caruso.
But it turns out that Tucker Jr. has not transformed, the shooting is still not practiced, the defense is still not good enough, far from Caruso on the court. The value of Tucker Jr.'s trade has also dropped significantly, and he has not been able to exchange him for excellent players before the trade deadline, and the Lakers have been smashed in their hands.
Caruso was quickly integrated in the bulls and became an important puzzle. Caruso's annual salary of $8.6 million this season is $900,000 lower than Tucker Jr.'s $9.5 million, but Caruso is worth more on the court than Tucker Jr.
The Lakers' defense has dropped sharply this season, of course, with the loss of Caruso. It is worth mentioning that James very much hoped that the Lakers would renew Caruso last summer, but the Lakers did not do it. Now the Lakers management is more heartfelt.