Who knew blowing a 17 point lead in the final 5 minutes could be so fun? It helps that every loss improves the team’s draft standing with the playoffs being an unrealistic goal, but last night featured a couple big performances from potential trade pieces, as well as a series of dunks from the team’s two youngest centerpieces.
Zach Lavine, in his fifth game of the season, started the dunking clinic in the opening minutes of the 1st quarter with a little help from Lauri Markkanen.
Lauri finds LaVine. pic.twitter.com/cqZu33AzXB
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) January 23, 2018
Lauri finds LaVine again pic.twitter.com/k3mLJnUd7v
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) January 23, 2018
Bulls fans have been waiting to see Lavine show off the athleticism that made him such a coveted asset, and he definitely delivered last night. He finished with 19 points on 15 shot attempts in just 24 minutes.
As for Markkanen, the rookie was not content with setting up his high flying teammate, he made sure to get in on the rim-rocking action himself.
Replay of Lauri Markkanen dunk pic.twitter.com/TO133WCPcM
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) January 23, 2018
No big deal, just a pump fake and effortless drive right by Anthony Davis and a stuff right in Boogie Cousins’ face.
While Boogie was a little too scared to make contact on that one, Markkanen showed of his athleticism, coordination and physicality on this alley oop and-1 with Davis chasing him down like a greyhound.
After ripping on Grant a bit ago….
Grant oop with Lauri. pic.twitter.com/mbP0XEbyMb
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) January 23, 2018
And finally, in case you thought that first drive by Davis/dunk on Boogie was a fluke, just a typical case of 1st quarter defensive laziness during the dog days of the season, check this out.
Lauri drives by Davis and dunks on Cousins. pic.twitter.com/Bt4qPBsNcz
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) January 23, 2018
Cousins actually tried to defend that one at the rim, but it didn’t matter. Markkanen>Cousins.
I kid, I kid, but highlights like that from Lavine and Markkanen are why it’s getting easier every day to be excited about the Bulls.
