Chicago Bulls: New starting lineup succeeds again versus OKC Thunder
By Ryan Taylor
The Chicago Bulls take their second straight win versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, beating them 123-102.
The new lineup change (part two) certainly benefitted the Bulls once again. This time, however, the Bulls used their star power to take down the Thunder instead of having nine players score in double-figures as they did versus the Toronto Raptors last game.
Zach Lavine and Lauri Markkanen are getting better with the new Chicago Bulls starters.
Starters Recap
Zach LaVine put up 40 points, four rebounds, and two assists in just three quarters and 31 minutes of play on Tuesday night. He shot an incredible 15/20 from the field and 7/12 from three-point land. After having a quiet 15-point game last time versus the Raptors, LaVine took over this one. He outscored the Thunder 20-16 himself in the third quarter.
Lauri Markkanen, the sidekick to LaVine, showed out with a 22 point, five rebounds, and a one assist game. He shot a much improved 50 percent from the field and 33 percent from distance (shot 25 percent from the field and 22 percent from distance last game). Markkanen showed great offensive ability in the paint and excellent defense, sporting a +25 plus/minus in the game.
The two new starters, Tomáš Satoranský and Thaddeus Young reaped the benefits of having their names called to start the game. Sato put up 13 points, two rebounds, and seven assists. Young scored 17 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, flirting with another triple-double, as he has done multiple times this season.
Patrick Williams, the rookie, remained quiet on Tuesday night after putting up a career-high 23 points on Sunday night against the Raptors. He shot a difficult 1/9 from the field for two points and three rebounds.