Zach LaVine wasn’t fazed when the Chicago Bulls started 4-0.
Since LaVine arrived in Chicago in 2017, the Bulls have struggled to compete with the upper echelon of the NBA. It’s why LaVine proclaimed after his team’s loss to the Knicks on Thursday that New York was the Bulls “first true test.”
On Saturday night, the Bulls flipped the script.
They outscored the Jazz 25-15 in the third quarter and handed the Jazz their first loss of the season with a 107-99 victory at the United Center behind DeMar DeRozan’s 32 points and 26 from LaVine.
“There was a lot of emotion,” LaVine said. “It was good to see (the United Center) packed again, and we have a good team. We had the support of the crowd and we needed that during an emotional game like this.”
Through six games, the Bulls (5-1) so far have silenced their critics who questioned whether this team could mesh defensively. They went into the night forcing the fourth-most turnovers per game with 18.7 and continued to wreak havoc on that end of the floor, forcing 20 versus the Jazz.
Most notably, the backcourt was able to contain Donavan Mitchell in the second half. The All-Star went off for 22 first-half points before the Bulls held him to 3-of-15 shooting after halftime. He finished 30 points on 9-for-27 shooting, including 2-for-11 from 3-point range.
Despite a late-game run from the Jazz that cut their 17-point deficit to six, the Bulls prevailed against a Jazz team that went into the night with the fifth-best offensive rating in the NBA.
“That’s a talented team, and you have to give them credit,” DeRozan said. “We stayed together and we didn’t get down on ourselves when they made runs. You have to make things difficult for a team like that.”
On a night when their front-court depth was tested, the Bulls got serviceable minutes from one of their quieter offseason additions in Tony Bradley. Bradley, who played for the Jazz from 2017 to 2020, frustrated two-time All-Star Rudy Gobert throughout the game.
“I know Rudy pretty well just playing against him in practice,” Bradley said. “I just tried to be physical with him and not let him get offensive rebounds. That was my mindset coming in.”
Nikola Vucevic’s early-season struggles continued versus the Jazz for the first three quarters, but he came up with two huge buckets in the last 1:26 to stunt a late comeback push. Despite the lack of offensive output from his starting center — who finished 4-for-19 for 16 points and added 12 rebounds — Donovan was pleased with how the veteran handled himself during a cold-shooting night.
“If he is out of the game mentally or loses confidence, I don’t know what happens (in this game),” Donovan said. “He really kept himself engaged, and that speaks a lot to his professionalism.”
The Bulls face the Celtics on Monday in Boston.
Bulls honor Toni Kukoc
After being inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in September, Kukoc was honored by the Bulls at halftime of Saturday’s game. Sporting his Hall of Fame coat, he delivered a short speech thanking his former teammates, members of the Bulls organization and fans.
“The first time I came to the city I felt your love,” Kukoc said. “Chicago is my heart and my home Thank you for all of the great years, and now let’s win some games this season.”
The Croatia native helped the franchise win three championships during the latter half of the 1990s, averaging 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists during his seven years with the organization.
Patrick Williams mentally prepares for a road to recovery
Patrick Williams addressed the media Saturday, a day after the Bulls announced he will miss four to six months and needs surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left wrist. The procedure is scheduled for Sunday morning.
Williams suffered the injury Thursday against the Knicks when he drove down the baseline and was greeted at the rim by Mitchell Robinson. The Knicks center appeared to grab Williams’ shoulder, and the second-year Bulls forward landed awkwardly on his non-shooting hand trying to brace for the fall.
Williams initially thought he suffered a bad sprain and could return to the game but was told differently by the medical staff.
“It’s hard to wrap my head around it,” Williams said. “You have to have positive thoughts, but I honestly didn’t have much to say when they told me. There isn’t much you can say in that situation.”
As Williams processes the injury, his teammates already have stepped up. DeRozan gave Williams the book “The Undefeated Mind” by Alex Lickerman, which helped DeRozan when he suffered a groin injury in 2014. Ball and LaVine also have offered their support as Williams faces a long recovery.
“They have all been super helpful,” Williams said. “Just having them communicate with me asking if I am all right helps. You can’t be out there with them, but just knowing that they have your back no matter what helps.”
James Kay is a freelance reporter for the Tribune.
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