In the previous game, in the final moments of the home game against the Knicks, Demar DeRozan had a chance to complete the kill, but he threw a three-no-no. In this way, the Bulls, who had won all four games before, suffered the first defeat of the season. Moreover, many people are also worried about the prospects of the Bulls, because counting the battle with the Knicks, the Bulls' opponents in 14 consecutive games are all teams that made the playoffs last season. Such a schedule will be a severe test for them.
"I don't think there's a problem," DeRozan said after the game against the Knicks, "It's the NBA, and I don't look up to or down on any opponent in the league." Every night, any team has the ability to beat any opponent. After all, it is humans, not monsters, who are fighting you on the field. ”
With this mentality, the Bulls have ushered in one of their strongest opponents since the beginning of the season, that is, the Jazz, who have not tasted defeat before. The Bulls also remained unbeaten in four games, but the previous one was ended by the Knicks. Before the game began, the Bulls also received bad news that the team's absolute main player Patrick Williams will undergo wrist surgery and say goodbye to the season early, which will be a big blow to the depth of the team's lineup. Coupled with Kobe White, who is still recovering from shoulder surgery, LaVine, who injured his left thumb but insisted on fighting, the Bulls' lineup also has no small problems. It was in this context that the Bulls did what DeRozan called "the ability to beat any opponent."
It was DeRozan who led the Bulls to the battle, scoring a game-high 32 points, giving the Bulls a 107-99 victory over the Jazz, giving their opponents their first defeat of the season and giving the Jazz a taste of what the Bulls had experienced in the previous game. Considering that the Jazz lineup is basically solid, and the Bulls have brought in 10 new players in the summer, the comparison between the two makes it even more difficult for the Bulls to win this victory.
So, how exactly did the Bulls win this game?
First, the Chicagoans stuck to the equation that had helped them win and did better. Using a highly flexible defense, they limited the Jazz's shooting percentage to a new season low of 38 percent and suppressed their opponents' points per 100 possessions at 96.1, well below the Jazz's season average of 114.1. At the same time, the Bulls themselves are also very efficient on the offensive end, with a three-pointer alone, they have 18 more points than their opponents, coupled with the continuous impact, the Bulls have a new season-high 30 free throw opportunities, giving the Jazz a lot of pressure.
As the Bulls' current "Big Three", Ravin, Vucevic and DeRozan have shown a strong impact, Ravin and Vucevic have spelled out 8 free throw opportunities, DeRozan has also won 6, and the three have handed over 22 and 19 on the free throw line, while the Jazz's free throws are only 19 of 18.
"From the point of view of the identity characteristics of the team, this is the game we want to play on the field," Bulls coach Billy Donovan said after the game, "I think it's a game where we played better from start to finish." ”
Extremely compressive defense, careful grasp of every ball, and endless impact on the basket are the three elements that make up the Bulls today. And once they do all three things well in a game, shooting a few three-pointers and grabbing a few more rebounds, then most of the time what awaits them is a good result.
And, even more surprising to the Bulls, the truce between Williams and White had weakened the team's strength, but several new faces stood up in a game against the Jazz. Tony Bradley Jr. derrick Jones Jr. has been outside the team's rotation, with Bradley playing 2 games and playing only 8 minutes, while Jones has only played 2 minutes. However, in a crucial battle with the Jazz, the two seized the opportunity and repaid the coach's trust with performance.
The first three seasons of Tony Bradley's career have been spent at the Jazz, so Jazz head coach Snyder is familiar with his characteristics. Snyder once said of the 2.08m center, saying he "has a great pair of hands, so he feels very good during the blocking process". In the game against the Jazz, Bradley, who came on as a substitute, only contributed 2 points, but he made beautiful blocks with LaVine on the outside many times, becoming a very efficient weapon on the Bulls' offensive end.
Defensively, Bradley's performance is just as reliable. Whether it's against the Jazz's bench inside Whiteside or Jordan Clarkson, who switched to the outside, Bradley can always keep his defensive position. Clarkson's offensive prowess, last season's best sixth man, suffered many of the league's big men last season, but Bradley was able to complete defensive tasks almost every time, not letting the Jazz take advantage of the second-team showdown. Look at Bradley's plus-minus of the highest +19 in the game to see the role he played in this game.
"I've been thinking a lot before: 'I'm going to give the team energy, I'm going to defend well, I'm going to run on the pitch,'" Bradley concluded after the game. ”
Bradley is not alone, and Derek Jones Jr., who was activated by Donovan with him, also has an efficient performance. Jones Jr., who played 19 minutes, although only had 4 points and 3 rebounds, but the wing with excellent bouncing ability contributed 3 blocks and also brought his plus-minus to +18. The energy and energy that Jones Jr. and Bradley bring allows the Bulls to continuously put pressure on the Jazz on the court.
On this night, the Bulls not only gave the league's last unbeaten team a taste of defeat, but also found two players who could play a big role in the future. Considering the injury situation the team is currently experiencing, the appearance of Bradley and Jones Jr. has made the Bulls very happy.
However, what really determines the height of a team is always their core players. Today's Bulls, Vucevic, Bauer and DeRozan are relatively stable, and the only variable is Zach Lavin. As the team's most important striker and scorer on the outside, LaVine is fighting with a torn ligament in his left hand. In the face of outside doubts and worries, LaVine and the Jazz responded with one hand - 9 of 19 shots in the whole game, scoring 26 points, plus 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and no mistakes. Last season, LaVine played only 2 "0 turnovers" games a year, but this time, he did it with an injured thumb.
"I feel like he's doing everything he can to control himself," Donovan said, "and I think Zach is that kind of person who, once he makes a decision, he doesn't make excuses anymore." That's the image of him in my eyes, and he's now learning how to perform well with a protective gear tied to his hands. ”
In the game against the Jazz, LaVine played for 34 minutes. His most outstanding performance came in the middle of the fourth quarter, when LaVine single-handedly scored eight consecutive points and led the Bulls on a 14-3 offensive wave that extended the team's lead to 17 points. "As long as my body allows, then I will play," Lavin said, "and all I need to do is keep adapting." I feel like I'm okay, I don't want to miss any games, as long as I can play, I want to be able to fight with my teammates on the field. I'm good now, and I can put the ball in when I have to hit a shot. ”
Lavin, who fought with wounds, was still like this, and the other main forces of the Bulls also performed their duties. In addition to deRozan, who scored a game-high 32 points, Vucevic also had 16 points and 12 rebounds in a single game, and Ball contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals. Even if they lost a main player and did not have a sixth man who performed well last season, the Bulls still improved their record to 5 wins and 1 loss.
"I don't want to make one of the 82 games too special," Donovan said after the game, "whether we're facing the Jazz or another team, what makes me happiest is that our team is back on track in time after losing the previous game." The Jazz are a great team in the league and they play to their strengths, which puts them in a successful position. And I think we're the same this year, and we're doing everything we can to get it done.