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Bulls Notes: Buzelis, Vucevic, Smith, LaVine, THT

November 6th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Rookie Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft, continues to play very sparingly at the NBA level this fall, resulting in the team sending him to the G League over the weekend for a brief assignment with the Windy City Bulls. Potential stints in the NBAGL were always part of the plan for Buzelis, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, who says it would be “incorrect” to view the assignment as a negative.

The G League season won’t tip off until this Friday, but Buzelis told reporters after returning to the NBA that he got the opportunity to scrimmage against the Iowa Wolves on Saturday, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link).

“I was fine with it. I know it’s part of my development,” Buzelis said. “There’s always a learning curve going into the NBA. It’s a different animal.”

Buzelis has logged total 32 minutes across six appearances for Chicago so far, scoring five points on 2-of-12 shooting during his brief cameos.

Here’s more on the Bulls:

  • After a down year in 2023/24, Nikola Vucevic is off to a hot start this fall, hitting 48.5% of his three-point attempts, increasing his scoring average to 21.7 points per game, and earning kudos from head coach Billy Donovan for his play on defense too, according to Cowley of The Sun-Times and Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune. “I know it’s early in the year, but he’s really played well on both ends of the floor,” Donovan said. “He’s been great. He’s been great with the young guys. He’s shot the ball well both inside the line and outside the line. I think the thing with him, with the way we’re playing, he’s getting a lot of close-outs. Guys are running at him, and he’s really a good passer.” Long viewed as a possible trade candidate, Vucevic is making $20MM this season, with one more year and $21.5MM left on his contract after that.
  • Within a mailbag for the Tribune, Poe considers whether it might make sense for the Bulls to experiment with two-big lineups featuring Vucevic and offseason addition Jalen Smith.
  • After missing Monday’s game vs. Utah due to a right adductor strain, Zach LaVine is listed as questionable to play in Dallas on Wednesday, per the NBA’s official injury report. It’s the first game of a back-to-back set for the Bulls, who will return home to host the Timberwolves on Thursday, so we’ll see if the banged-up guard is also active tomorrow if he’s cleared to play tonight.
  • The only NBA player to make a standard regular season roster on an Exhibit 10 contract, Talen Horton-Tucker saw his first significant action of the season on Monday with LaVine out, Poe writes for The Tribune. The Bulls outscored the Jazz by five points during Horton-Tucker’s 28 minutes in the nine-point loss, as he contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists. The veteran guard’s minimum salary will remain non-guaranteed until January 7.
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Central Notes: Jackson, Mitchell, Buzelis, Pistons

October 27th, 2024 at 9:56pm CST by Luke Adams

Bucks guard Andre Jackson crashed his car into the porch of an apartment in downtown Milwaukee on Saturday, according to Mary Spicuzza and Drake Bentley of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. An official from the Milwaukee Fire Department said there was property damage but no reported injuries.

The Bucks didn’t share the full details of the incident, but did confirm in a statement that Jackson was unhurt: “Andre was involved in a single-vehicle accident after (Saturday) morning’s team workout. Andre was alone in his car. Fortunately, no one was injured and he didn’t require medical attention. Andre will be joining the team in New York for (Sunday)’s game.”

The 36th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Jackson appeared in 57 games last season but isn’t part of the Bucks’ regular rotation as he enters his second season on a partially guaranteed contract. He saw just one minute of garbage-time action in the team’s first two regular season contests and played the final 3:26 of Sunday’s loss in Brooklyn with the game out of reach.

Here’s more from around the Central:

  • The Cavaliers are off to a 3-0 start, but all three victories have come against projected lottery teams, prompting star guard Donovan Mitchell to deliver a “passionate and pointed” post-game message to his teammates after Saturday’s win to remind them not to get too comfortable with their early-season success, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required). “We took care of business. We did what we’re supposed to do for these three games,” Mitchell said. “But now, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (vs. the Knicks, Lakers, Magic, and Bucks), that’s where we really see what we’re made of as a group and if our habits continue through with tougher opponents and tougher games.”
  • Playing time has been hard to come by for rookie Matas Buzelis in the Bulls‘ first three games, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Although Buzelis has gotten onto the floor in every game, he hasn’t played more than nine minutes or made more than a single field goal in any of those three appearances. “With the number of guys we have there at that (forward) position, I want to help Matas develop and grow, but I also want to make sure there’s groups out there that will function together,” head coach Billy Donovan said. “So for us, I think it’s still a work in progress with some of the rotations.” As Cowley notes, if Buzelis’ playing time continues to be sporadic, it might make sense to send him on a G League assignment once the NBAGL’s season begins.
  • Despite their 0-3 record so far, the Pistons aren’t concerned about a repeat of last season’s 2-29 start, says Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. The team has seen some encouraging signs of progress in its losses to three talented teams (Indiana, Cleveland, and Boston). “We might be 0-3, but I feel like we’re right there,” Malik Beasley said after Saturday’s loss to the Celtics. “I’m not just saying that because I’m here. I’ve been through struggles in the NBA. We’re right there. The chemistry is really good, the camaraderie is really good and we still have our energy. We’re going to get on this flight (Sunday) and get ready for Miami.”
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Central Notes: Middleton, Winslow, Cavs, Bulls, Ivey

October 21st, 2024 at 10:54am CST by Luke Adams

Bucks forward Khris Middleton isn’t expected to be active for the team’s regular season opener against Philadelphia on Wednesday, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN. Middleton spent the offseason recovering from surgical procedures on both ankles and the team is taking a cautious approach to his return this fall, Charania explains.

Although Middleton recently expressed a desire to play in 70-plus games in 2024/25, it doesn’t come as a major surprise that he’s not quite ready for the start of the regular season. He didn’t appear in any preseason contests and head coach Doc Rivers said on Saturday that the three-time All-Star would need to play 5-on-5 before Wednesday in order to suit up for opening night (Twitter link via Eric Nehm of The Athletic).

The Bucks haven’t issued any sort of official update on Middleton, but it sounds like he’ll probably be considered day-to-day going forward, with a chance to make his season debut before the end of the month. That’s just my speculation based on comments from Rivers and recent reporting though, so we’ll keep an eye out for more news on the 33-year-old’s status.

Here’s more from around the Central:

  • The Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks‘ G League affiliate, acquired the returning rights to Justise Winslow and Darryl Morsell from the Raptors 905 in exchange for the rights to Wenyen Gabriel, Marques Bolden, and Deonte Burton, plus the No. 15 pick in this year’s G League draft, per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter links). As Murphy notes, several of those players are currently competing overseas, but Milwaukee signed Winslow to an Exhibit 10 contract during the preseason — securing his rights means he’ll now be eligible for an Exhibit 10 bonus worth $77.5K if he spends at least 60 days with the Herd.
  • The Cavaliers were much better when Max Strus was on the court last season than when he wasn’t, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, who considers in a subscriber-only story how the club will get by without one of its top floor-spacers for the next six weeks while Strus recovers from an ankle injury. Fedor views Dean Wade as the favorite to replace Strus in the starting five, since he’s a solid defender and a strong three-point shooter. Caris LeVert‘s ball-dominant game is a better fit in the second unit, Fedor suggests, while Isaac Okoro is another candidate to play with the starters.
  • Lonzo Ball, Matas Buzelis, and Julian Phillips are a few of the Bulls players whose preseason performances provided reasons for optimism entering the season, Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic writes in his latest stock report. On the other hand, offseason additions Josh Giddey and Jalen Smith and newly re-signed forward Patrick Williams have had up-and-down Octobers so far, as Mayberry details.
  • Jaden Ivey saw his role reduced under Monty Williams last season, but the Pistons guard is once again an offensive focal point under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, says Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (subscriber link). Ivey was the Pistons’ leading scorer during the preseason and earned praise from Bickerstaff for his efforts. “He works his tail off and then he’s playing with confidence,” Detroit’s coach said earlier this month. “When you work as hard as he works and puts as much time in, and then you play with that confidence and belief, the work is going to pay off.”
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Central Notes: Walker, Sheppard, Swider, Buzelis, Cavs

October 15th, 2024 at 9:34am CST by Luke Adams

With Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin back under contract with the Pacers on new four-year deals, there won’t be regular playing time available at power forward for 2023 lottery pick Jarace Walker anytime soon, barring an injury. That’s why, as Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (subscription required) writes, Walker finds himself battling Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard for minutes on the wing this fall.

Walker made a strong case for a rotation role last Thursday against Cleveland, when he scored 12 points and was a +18 in 18 minutes off the bench. He was elevated to the starting lineup on Monday vs. Memphis with Siakam and a few other regulars sitting, and contributed 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 38 minutes. However, most of those points came in the fourth quarter against reserves, and head coach Rick Carlisle indicated after the game that he wanted to see more from Walker and his fellow starters.

“The first quarter was very poor,” Carlisle said, per Dopirak. “The guys who started the game pretty much eased into the game. (Memphis) is a smash-mouth team that puts physical hits on you both offensively and defensively. They play a clean game, but it’s a physical game. We got smashed in the face in the first quarter.”

As Dopirak writes, Mathurin seems almost certain to be part of the second unit, so Walker and Sheppard may be vying for the last spot in that group. Sheppard, who had a good game on Monday, earned a rotation role last season as a rookie and seems “too trustworthy when it comes the basics to be banished to the end of the bench,” Dopirak writes. So even if Walker receives regular minutes to open the season, he’ll have to continue to prove he deserves them.

Here’s more from around the Central:

  • Cole Swider may have the edge on Kendall Brown for the 15th and final spot on the Pacers‘ regular season roster, according to Dopirak. Swider had a strong outing on Monday (10 points, five rebounds, three assists, +12), while Brown barely played. As Dopirak observes, Swider’s outside shooting is something Indiana doesn’t get from many other players at the end of its bench, which could help give him a leg up. Both players are on non-guaranteed contracts.
  • Bulls lottery pick Matas Buzelis is impressing coaches and teammates alike this fall as he gears up for his rookie season, according to Kyle Williams and Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Head coach Billy Donovan referred to Buzelis as having “tremendous upside” and appreciated the fact that the first-round pick has expressed a willingness to do whatever it takes to get better — including possibly spending time in the G League. On Monday, the 20-year-old didn’t shy away from matching up against Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo on either end of the court. “He’s not scared of anyone or any moment, and I think for a guy to come into the league like that, have that confidence, it’s huge for him,” Bulls guard Josh Giddey said. “It’s easy for rookies to be shy, not take on challenges, but credit to him. (He’s a) very talented kid, and he’s going to have a helluva career in the NBA.”
  • The Cavaliers broke ground on Monday on a new state-of-the-art training facility in downtown Cleveland, according to The Associated Press. Star guard Donovan Mitchell attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the 210,000-square-foot building, which is being funded by team owner Dan Gilbert and is scheduled to open in 2027. “Since I arrived here two years ago, I’ve just heard nothing but how serious Cleveland is about their sports,” Mitchell said. “And seeing it, shows how serious and how much they care about their players and the investment about their bodies. This is going to be huge for the longevity of our careers.”
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Bulls Notes: LaVine, Phillips, Dosunmu, Williams, Buzelis

October 13th, 2024 at 10:00am CST by Arthur Hill

The Bulls haven’t been able to generate much interest since putting Zach LaVine on the trade market last fall, but maybe they’re better off keeping him. LaVine looked like a dominant scorer again Saturday night, pouring in 28 points in 22 minutes while making all six of his three-point attempts, writes Sam Smith of NBA.com.

“Zach was really decisive,” coach Billy Donovan said. “He took his shots when they were there. What was encouraging on the threes, there was no hesitation; he just went up and shot it. He got off to a great start, shot unbelievable from three. He can get on a run. He can go 0-for-4 and then come back and make 6-for-6, so I never worry (if he’s missing). I thought he was really decisive, and when he had daylight and a crack he shot it. We need him to do that. When he’s got a head of steam, his athletic ability and his ability to shoot the ball and put it on the floor, he’s really hard to guard. He is one of the better open floor players in transition.”

LaVine played just 25 games last season, so any potential trade interest was cooled by concerns over his physical condition, along with a contract that will pay him $43MM this year, $46MM next season and has a $49MM player option for 2026/27. However, he can still be very valuable if’s fully healthy, which it appears he may be. Smith states that LaVine displayed “quick twitch speed and easy motion” that hasn’t been part of his game for the past two years.

There’s more from Chicago:

  • Second-year small forward Julian Phillips also made an impact on Saturday, scoring 21 points and hitting 5-of-8 shots from beyond the arc, Smith adds. He displayed chemistry with new point guard Josh Giddey, and Smith suggests he might be the catch-and-shoot option the team has been looking for. “Julian, he’s been really good,” Donovan said. “He had some good drives and (he) didn’t have to go up in traffic, but he’s played really, really well. He’s a good cutter, very active on the glass and he’s shot the ball well. I don’t think that was a fluke tonight. I feel very comfortable with him shooting the basketball.”
  • The Bulls suffered two notable injuries Saturday night, but neither appears serious. Ayo Dosunmu got a shoulder stinger while diving for a loose ball, according to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). He wanted to return to the game, but trainers wouldn’t let him. Patrick Williams left the game after jamming his wrist, but X-rays taken at halftime were negative, Johnson tweets.
  • In an interview with Spencer Davies of Responsible Gambler, rookie Matas Buzelis said he doesn’t regret his decision to play for G League Ignite instead of developing his game in college. “They showed me the NBA schedule you’ve got to follow, they showed me how to play against NBA players, they showed me how to compete, and [I had] NBA coaching and training,” Buzelis said. “But they really instilled a lot of stuff in me about the NBA, so I feel like I have a slight advantage walking into my rookie year.”
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Bulls Notes: Backcourt, Ball, LaVine, Buzelis, Freeman-Liberty

October 9th, 2024 at 10:02am CST by Luke Adams

Will there be enough minutes to go around for all the players in the Bulls‘ backcourt this season? Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times explores that question, noting that guards Coby White, Zach LaVine, Josh Giddey, and Ayo Dosunmu all figure to have regular roles, with Lonzo Ball, Dalen Terry, Jevon Carter, and Chris Duarte also vying for minutes.

“I think it’s going to be a hard situation from the standpoint of these guys are all highly competitive, work really hard in the offseason to get themselves ready to play,” head coach Billy Donovan said. “And quite honestly in some of these situations with the way our team is, they just may not get that opportunity. I’m not saying it’s Jevon, Chris or Dalen or whoever it is. We’ve got to see how camp plays out.

“We’ve obviously had to deal with the injuries with Josh and Lonzo, but there’s no question that with the number of guards there, I think we’ll have to play with three guards. I think Ayo is a really, really good perimeter defender, who he’s paired with, try and match someone with that. I agree, someone is going to be sitting. We’re not able to play them all.”

The Bulls started three guards in their preseason opener vs. Cleveland on Tuesday, with White, LaVine, and Giddey joining Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic in the starting five. As Donovan notes, that look seems likely to carry over into the regular season.

Here’s more out of Chicago:

  • After spending over a year recovering from his latest knee surgery, Ball wasn’t available for the Bulls’ preseason opener on Tuesday. However, that wasn’t because of his knee, Cowley writes in a separate Sun-Times story. As Cowley explains, Ball dealt with a “nasty” case of COVID just before camp began, which left him several days behind in workouts. He’s still in the process of “getting his strength back,” according to Donovan.
  • Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune shares six takeaways from the Bulls’ preseason opener, writing that LaVine looked comfortable in his return from foot surgery and that lottery pick Matas Buzelis flashed intriguing potential in his first NBA game. However, acknowledging that one preseason game isn’t enough to draw any definitive conclusions, Poe also notes that Tuesday’s game did nothing to assuage concerns about the team’s potential defensive shortcomings.
  • After reporting earlier this week indicated that guard Javon Freeman-Liberty was leaving Manisa Basket for the NBA, the Turkish club confirmed the news, publishing an Instagram post that wished Freeman-Liberty luck in the next phase of his career “with the Chicago Bulls.” As Blake Murphy of Sportsnet tweets, FIBA clearance is still required before the guard can officially finalize his new deal with Chicago. It’s unclear whether Freeman-Liberty left Manisa simply to sign a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract with the Bulls or if he’ll get a standard or two-way deal that offers more assurances.
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Bulls Notes: Ball, Buzelis, Dosunmu, Williams, Giddey

October 5th, 2024 at 2:15pm CST by Arthur Hill

It’s only been a few days of training camp, but Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is optimistic about the progress of his left knee, writes Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune. Ball is trying to salvage his NBA career after missing the past two and half seasons with knee issues that required multiple surgeries. He’s not a full participant in camp drills and he’s being closely monitored by the medical staff, but Ball is encouraged so far, especially after taking part in a scrimmage on Friday and being able to play at full speed with normal contact.

“Today was probably my best day,” he told reporters after Friday’s practice. “It’s getting better each time.”

Ball realizes that he doesn’t possess the same physical qualities that he did before the injuries, Poe adds. His first step isn’t as quick, he doesn’t have his former speed on defense and his jumper is a little off-balance as he works to rebuild the strength in his legs. Coach Billy Donovan is urging him to compensate by relying on the mental part of his game, which is sharper than ever.

“He can take a situation that looks three-on-three and just by a pass to a certain area of the floor, can make it three-on-two, just out of feel,” Donovan said. “That’s the one thing I think for him that will never go away. He’s just such a high-IQ player and knows the game so well. The way he plays, he makes people around him better.”

There’s more on the Bulls:

  • Lottery pick Matas Buzelis has impressed teammates with his athleticism in training camp, but he may not have a clear path to playing time, Poe states in a separate story. She notes that the Bulls tend to keep their draft picks in the NBA even if they’re not playing regularly so they can learn how to be professionals. Donovan said Buzelis will only be sent to the G League if the need arises to give him consistent minutes, and Buzelis is OK with that option. “I’m always going to listen to the organization,” he said. “So if they tell me I got to be in the G League, I’m gonna be in the G League. That’s fine with me. But I’m gonna work my way up to the top team.”
  • Ayo Dosunmu is ready to “elevate” in his fourth NBA season, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago-Sun Times. Dosunmu spent the summer developing counters to his drives to the basket and improving his ability to read defenses, especially in the pick-and-roll. “The NBA, it’s a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league,” he said, citing the need to improve every offseason. “No one cares about what you did your rookie year or last year. You have to keep proving yourself.”
  • Patrick Williams understands the expectations are different after he landed a five-year, $90MM extension this summer, Cowley adds in another Sun-Times piece. Williams said the Bulls want him to become a team leader, improve his rebounding and take over as the primary defensive stopper after trading away Alex Caruso.
  • Josh Giddey is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during the Olympics, but he was able to take part in most of Friday’s scrimmage, tweets K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
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Bulls Notes: LaVine, Ball, Williams, White, Buzelis

September 23rd, 2024 at 3:57pm CST by Rory Maher

Confirming a previous report, Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic hears from Bulls sources who say that Zach LaVine has been a “willing participant” in team scrimmages ahead of training camp. LaVine was also present for a players-led minicamp last month in Miami, Mayberry reports.

LaVine has been a prominent name in trade rumors for over a year, with the Bulls actively looking to move the two-time All-Star this summer. However, Mayberry writes that rival clubs were only interested in taking on the 29-year-old’s contract — he’s owed $138MM over the next three seasons — if Chicago sweetened the pot by adding additional assets, which was a non-starter for the Bulls.

With young guards like Josh Giddey, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu on the roster, having a veteran known for his scoring prowess like LaVine could be an awkward fit. But according to Mayberry, LaVine has stressed to team leadership that he won’t interfere with his younger teammates’ development.

Here’s more on the Bulls, all courtesy of Mayberry:

  • Chicago is “cautiously optimistic” about the progress Lonzo Ball has made as he attempts to revive his career, Mayberry writes. The 26-year-old has been a full participant in offseason team workouts and will be a full go for training camp as well, Mayberry reports. Ball, who hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 2022 due to a left knee injury that has required three surgeries, is on an expiring $21.4MM contract. The Bulls will likely be very careful with Ball, but he has “looked good” to this point, per Mayberry.
  • Forward Patrick Williams may not be ready for training camp. The 23-year-old, who had season-ending foot surgery in February, told Mayberry and other reporters he was able to run and jump without pain or swelling in July (Twitter link), but he felt some discomfort during the players-only minicamp in August and has been resting over the past handful of weeks. Williams re-signed with the Bulls as a restricted free agent over the summer, inking a five-year, $90MM contract.
  • While White is expected to remain in the starting lineup alongside Giddey and LaVine, Mayberry suggests the former UNC Tar Heel may not be thrilled with an off-ball role after spending nearly all of last season as the team’s starting point guard. White had a breakout season in 2023/24, finishing runner-up for the Most Improved Player award. Trading Alex Caruso for Giddey indicates the Bulls view White as more of a scorer than a lead facilitator, Mayberry notes.
  • First-rounder Matas Buzelis has been playing well in scrimmages, according to Mayberry, who says the former G League Ignite forward has particularly impressed with ability to drive and pass. Mayberry also hears the Bulls plan to adjust their playing style on both ends of the court this season.
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Central Notes: Livingston, Holland, Klintman, Buzelis, Tshiebwe, Jackson, Trent Jr.

July 21st, 2024 at 9:45pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Bucks lost their first four Summer League games in Las Vegas but 2023 second-round pick Chris Livingston has been a bright spot, averaging 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28.1 minutes per game, Eric Nehm of The Athletic notes.

The 6’6” Livingston is preparing to play any of the frontcourt positions, including center, after seeing just 90 minutes of NBA action as a rookie.

“It’s a fight, you know what I’m saying? I’ve been working,” he said. “Trying to get in the best shape of my life, that’s what I’m going to do. Working on my skill development, my shot. My shot’s always been there, but just speeding my shot up. Being ready to shoot, changing my mindset when it comes to that.”

We have more from the Central Division:

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Bulls Notes: Phillips, LaVine, Vucevic, Buzelis

July 14th, 2024 at 3:59pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

With a path to playing time seemingly opened by the departures of two veteran wings, young Bulls forward Julian Phillips is hoping to get some extended run this season, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

“Just my leadership and being around the ball,” Phillips said of his goals for his second Summer League with the Bulls this year. “Get loose balls, rebounds. Defense, get my hands on loose balls. Try to be all around.”

With ex-Bulls Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan having been sent to contending Western Conference squads, an opportunity could open up for Phillips to earn more rotation minutes this year. Phillips, for his part, seems grateful for the lessons learned from Caruso and DeRozan during his rookie season in 2023/24.

“They both helped and taught me a lot, so I appreciate them for everything,” Phillips said. “It’s not our job to worry about the roster decisions. That’s up to the front office. Our job is to be ready to play. We got a lot of great guys and we’ll be ready for it for sure.”

There’s more out of the Windy City:

  • The Bulls received poor marks for their trades of Caruso and DeRozan from Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, who is underwhelmed by the return for Caruso and believes the team waited too long to move on from DeRozan. Cowley adds that two of the club’s other pricey veterans, shooting guard Zach LaVine and center Nikola Vucevic, may be stuck on a rebuilding Chicago team for a while, as neither seems to have garnered much trade interest around the league.
  • During his Summer League debut, a 96-89 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, Bulls lottery pick Matas Buzelis scored 15 points, grabbed seven boards and blocked two shots. He showed a knack for drawing contact in taking seven free throws during 29 minutes of action, and proved adept at defending the rack. Buzelis, however, was concerned by his 4-of-15 shooting line and some defensive decisions away from the rim, notes K.C. Johnson in another NBC Sports Chicago story. “Honestly, I was very sloppy,” Buzelis said. “I can play a lot better.”
  • In case you missed it, Chicago recently waived two-way power forward RaiQuan Gray, acquired in the team’s three-team sign-and-trade deal that sent DeRozan to Sacramento.
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