Chicago Bulls: 3 takeaways from new starters versus Toronto Raptors
By Ryan Taylor
The Chicago Bulls‘ new starting lineup showed new energy as they grabbed their first win of the second half of the season over the Toronto Raptors 118-95.
Before the game, head coach Billy Donovan mentioned that he would be deciding to bench starters Coby White and Wendell Carter Jr. for veterans Tomáš Satoranský and Thaddeus Young. The new starting lineup paid great dividends for the Bulls squad to get a much-needed win after two straight losses off the all-star break.
New additions to the starting lineup, Thaddeus Young and Tomáš Satoranský, combined for 20 points, 13 rebounds,14 of the team’s 35 assist night, and shot a combined 50 percent from the field. Both of these two got the offense energized and moved the ball extremely well.
Patrick Williams had himself a career night, scoring 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists off of 9/14 shooting from the field. Williams put down a few emphatic slams during the game and played aggressively in the paint.
The star power duo of Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen didn’t show out as much as usual, which is a good thing considering the Bulls won by 23 points. LaVine recorded 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists off of 40 percent shooting. Markkanen put up 13 points, seven rebounds, and one assist on 25 percent shooting from the field.
The Bulls looked like a fresh team with their new starting lineup. The offense moved better than usual and the defense was aggressive. Here’s why the Bulls were so dominant by changing up the rotations.