Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine previously said that he won’t know in advance whether he’ll be able to play back-to-back games going forward. Chicago continues to monitor him daily, but coach Billy Donovan said that LaVine’s knee has been feeling much better since the All-Star break (Twitter links via Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago).
After playing against the Hawks on Thursday, LaVine didn’t appear on Chicago’s injury report on Friday and suited up for both ends of the back-to-back against the Bucks. He finished the game with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists, but the Bulls dropped their fourth straight in a 118-112 loss. Chicago is now the No. 4 seed in the East with a 39-25 record.
Here’s more from the Central:
- Pacers center Myles Turner has been sidelined since January 14 after suffering a stress reaction in his left foot, but he’s making progress in his rehab, as James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star relays. Turner posted an Instagram video of himself running for the first time since the injury. He was doing defensive slides in another video, apparently at Detroit’s practice facility. Indiana lost at Detroit 111-106 on Friday night. There’s no official timetable for Turner’s return.
- Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff was fined $20K by the NBA for inappropriate language directed at officials and refusing to leave the court in a timely manner during Wednesday’s 119-98 loss to the Hornets, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Bickerstaff was ejected after receiving two technical fouls early in the third quarter. The Cavs have dropped six of their past seven games after Friday’s 125-119 loss to the Sixers.
- Cavaliers point guard Rajon Rondo was upgraded from out to doubtful for Friday’s contest after participating in the team’s shootaround, but ultimately missed the game against Philadelphia. A source tells Fedor (Twitter link) that Rondo is “getting close” to a return, but isn’t quite ready yet. Rondo is eight days removed from suffering a sprained big toe which was expected to sideline him for about two weeks, so he’s apparently a little ahead of schedule in his recovery.
Cavs have had too many injuries and still Lack a pull-together force in the backcourt esp when Garland is ailing. Rondo is better in a hotter situation… an odd choice by Altman who likes cool.
Garland is a willing passer but I don’t get the lack of touches for Mobley and Allen the last two games. 36 shots total for the last 2 games. If you’re a PG and you have 2 skilled bigs willing to do three dirty work you MUST FEED THE BEAST. Mobley has to be more aggressive in his posts up and call for the ball.
I keep feeling like the end of the Zach LaVine era in Chicago is upon us. Portland & Zach just seem like a perfect fit. Chicago obv would be crushed to lose him but the little things seem to point to him heading west this summer
Winning Changes everything. If Chicago goes deep in the playoffs that all my change.
I think it’s more likely they lose in the 1st Rd than they make the ECF. Even with Zo, AC & Pat back healthy I don’t see them on the same level as Mil/BK/Phi/Mia & I could definitely see them losing to ATL/Tor/Bos too
Bulls have been a little ragged since the break. Billy has finally started playing Thompson and Vujevic together at times which is good against bigger lineups. TT hasn’t been playing huge minutes this year so probably isn’t in tip top shape. We really don’t know what this team is going to look like for the playoffs yet. Still missing 3 key pieces. Ayo starting to hit the Rookie wall a bit lately but still playing well. Lot of pressure being put on him until Ball and Caruso get back. Still enjoying the ride anyway.
They miss Ball. They need a ball handler to close out gms. Ball can also play D on other teams ball handler. A full Bulls team is a good team, trust me.
Just re-emphasizes my point for anybody who thinks Coby White is a PG. He’s horrible in crunch time with the ball. He’s better as a spot up 2.
Bulls are not losing LaVine. There are absolutely no signs of that. This is the first time Zach is going to playoffs. With a good team at that.
And why would any knowledgeable fan think Bulls will just let him walk. It would have to be a sign n trade. And who is going to do that ??
He’s gonna be an unrestricted free agent. Bulls can’t do anything to stop him & won’t get any compensation if he signs with a team that has enough cap space. Detroit, Indiana & most importantly Portland will all easily have enough cap space to sign him. Only way Chicago would get anything in a s&t for Zach is if he wants to go to a team that doesn’t have cap space. This is a possibility as well but not as likely as him going to Portland or just staying in Chicago
It’s hard to believe you still don’t get how it works but I’ll try again. If Lavine wants the most money he can get and the Bulls want to move on, Then he’ll sign with the Bulls and agree to a trade. The BULLS OWN his Bird rights so they can give him a BIGGER CONTRACT than anyone else can in FREE AGENCY. Hope you get it this time. If not, I would suggest a Lobotomy, But it would be the definition of Unnecessary surgery.
Thank you …. cause he won’t believe it. If I explain it to him. He’s not walking
@unclemike
yeah….. because no other free agent EVER said keep the extra year Im signing as a free agent outright. you and @knicks are very condescending. The majority of FA leave their old team and that extra year in the table to sign where they want to especially if it means keeping more talent on the team they’re joining. Not every FA squeezes the very last dollar out.
Shaq to the Lakers. Durant to GSW.
Except Lavine has made it a point to complain every day that he’s been disrespected and underpaid his whole career. When he was a RFA last time the Bulls let him go out and find the best deal he could and the one he’s playing under now was the best he could find and the Bulls matched it. He wants every dime he can get because he has no idea how long his knee will hold up because he tore it up pretty bad the first time. Things would have to completely fall apart with the Bulls the next few months for him to just try and leave just to stick it to them. And also himself. He’s playing it for all he’s worth. Believe it.
@uncle
im not arguing whether he will or won’t stay. im simply stating that if it’s between staying with the Bulls for 1 extra year vs going elsewhere for three max allowed on three open market then fit, change to win or playing with friends might trump ending else. Portland, 200 miles from his hometown, might be intriguing if he can team up will Dame and whomever they might pick up in three draft.
Yeah that makes more sense. Go to Blazers and go nowhere. Instead of a rising young team.