The latest Chicago Bulls news for March 16, featuring an update on Lonzo Ball’s status for the rest of 2024-25, how offensive regression turned into a loss and a question about Nikola Vucevic’s role.
Bulls go backwards offensively in loss to Rockets
Chicago has been one of the most up-tempo, trigger-happy, long-range launching teams in the NBA this season. The Bulls are second in the league in threes attempted per game and third in pace.
Over the team’s four-game winning streak, however—which came to an end last night with a 117-114 road loss to the Houston Rockets—the offensive gameplan, or at least execution, changed.
Chicago cut down on the threes during that four-game streak, ranking 14th in the league, while increasing its opportunities at the free-throw line. The Bulls have attempted the fewest free throws of any team in the league this year but leapt to seventh in that same category during that four-game run.
Chicago averaged 24 free throws in wins over the Heat, Magic, Pacers and Nets. The Bulls took only 16 shots from the charity stripe against the Rockets, eight of which came from Coby White. Five players played at least 12 minutes and didn’t attempt a free throw.
That’s not how Chicago has been winning games. Eight more attempts from the line could have made a difference in a three-point loss.
What do the Bulls do with Nikola Vucevic?
Chicago’s front office held onto Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline. Mistake No. 1.
The 35-year-old missed seven games with a calf injury between Feb. 24 and March 8. Over those seven games, Zach Collins started and averaged 16.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 58/36/84 shooting splits. The Bulls went 4-3.
Vucevic returned on March 10 and has started Chicago’s last two games, because of course he has, despite his career-best shooting efficiency falling off a very, very high cliff. Since Jan. 1, he’s shooting 31.0 percent from three.
Going back to the well despite Vucevic’s decline and deficiencies and ignoring Collins’ production as a starter is mistake No. 2.
Latest on Lonzo Ball injury
Lonzo Ball hasn’t played since Feb. 28 due to a wrist injury. The Bulls embarked on a six-game road trip last night and Ball didn’t travel with the team. That means the 26-year-old likely won’t play again until at least March 27 when Chicago returns home to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ball is expected to return for the stretch run, however, according to head coach Billy Donovan.
“I think the intention that he’s doing right now is just trying to get himself back to playing. Doctors aren’t saying, ‘Hey listen, you gotta sit out.’ It’s just when he feels that he can do things on the court that he’s comfortable with,” said Donovan per ESPN.
Ball isn’t expected to have any offseason surgery or complications, either. Considering his importance to the Bulls this season and their increased chances at potentially hosting a Play-In Tournament game, getting their calming floor general back would be a boost.
