LaVine keeps shining as Chicago Bulls top Miami Heat 119-111

The Chicago Bulls’ dynamic core was on display once again during their victory over the Miami Heat.

Apparently, this is what the Chicago Bulls do: get a player back from injury and immediately go on a winning streak.

First, they went on a seven-game win binge when Nikola Mirotic—who the Bulls still haven’t traded yet—returned to the lineup after recovering from facial fractures.

Now, Zach LaVine, even with a 20-minute time restriction, has the Chicago Bulls humming.

And with today’s 119-111 win over the Miami Heat, Chicago’s second straight win, the foundation of a hopeful championship contender was on display once again.

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LaVine continued to be the big story for the Bulls, pouring in 18 points in his 18 minutes of action. That now gives him 32 points in 39 total minutes this season. That’s…pretty good.

While he still hasn’t given us the highlight dunk yet, he has shown he can score in just about any way you can think of.

He spot-up 3-pointers, hit a spinning turnaround jumper from mid-range, leaked out for a transition layup and even nailed a 4-point play.

I bet even the Chicago Bulls didn’t anticipate he was going to come out playing like this.

Of course, though, the rest of the Bulls did their part in this one as well.

Justin Holiday continued shooting the ball with utmost confidence, as he has all season. This time, though, he got to see the majority of them go down.

Holiday hit 7-of-11 3-point attempts and finished with 25 points on the game. Plus, he added two huge defensive plays to close out the first half, including blocking master shot-blocker Hassan Whiteside.

Though Kris Dunn didn’t have a great scoring game tonight, landing in a bit of foul trouble, he limited star point guard Goran Dragic’s effectiveness. Faced with Dunn’s stifling defense most of the game, Dragic only scored four points in the first half.

Plus, Lauri Markkanen picked him up with 17 points (3-of-6 from deep) and nine rebounds. In the process, Markkanen made his 100^th career 3-pointer in his 41^st game, faster than any player in NBA history.

And they did it against a Miami Heat team that came into this game the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Next: Why Bulls rebuild still won despite win

The Chicago Bulls would be better served losing, of course, but what are you going to do? If they lose out on a top draft talent, then maybe they’ll just have to settle for a high-priced free-agent signing like a DeMarcus Cousins to help turn the tide.

For now, all Bulls can do is enjoy the better basketball that their team is playing.