NBA Central

Cleveland Cavaliers stars Evan Mobley and Darius Garland have been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Chicago Bulls, per cleveland.com's Chris Fedor.

Mobley is dealing with soreness in his right ankle, and Garland suffered a sprained right thumb in Thursday's loss to the Indiana Pacers. Garland has been receiving treatment on his thumb, per Fedor.

Mobley entered Saturday having appeared in all 36 games for the Cavs this season. However, he suffered a sprained right ankle during training camp practice on Oct. 1 and missed some time.

The 21-year-old is in the midst of a solid season after an impressive rookie year that saw him finish second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes.

Mobley averaged 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 blocks in 69 games last season while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor. So far this season, he's averaging 14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 55.7 percent from the floor.

The 2021 third overall pick was a huge reason why the Cavaliers finished eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record and were on the verge of making the postseason for the first time since 2018.

When the USC product is sidelined, veteran Kevin Love and Cedi Osman see more playing time.

As for Garland, he missed time earlier in the season after suffering an eye injury on Oct. 19 that knocked him out of the team's next five games. He also missed a Nov. 4 win over the Detroit Pistons with a left knee sprain.

The 22-year-old is equally as important to Cleveland's success. Through 30 games, he's averaging 21.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 7.8 assists while shooting 45.0 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from deep.

With Garland sidelined, Caris LeVert and Raul Neto figure to see more playing time alongside Donovan Mitchell. According to Fedor, LeVert will be in the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup alongside Mitchell, Love, Jarrett Allen and Lamar Stevens.

The Cavaliers are 22-14 this season, fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They'll need Mobley and Garland to remain healthy, especially following the addition of Donovan Mitchell, who should help them contend for a playoff spot.

Having already made their big trade to bring in Donovan Mitchell during the NBA offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers are likely going to be in the market for wings as they pursue upgrades before the trade deadline.

Per ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Cavs are expected to pursue a "short-term wing option" on the trade market.

This isn't exactly a surprising revelation, as the Cavs roster is loaded with guards and big men. Dean Wade has been a pleasant surprise so far this season, but it's fair to wonder if he will be able to keep making 41.1 percent of his three-point attempts.

Kevin Love, Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro are the other wings receiving significant playing time for head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. They are all incredibly flawed players. Love has been excellent at drawing charges, but he's otherwise a liability on the defensive end of the court.

LeVert has been good at scoring on a high volume of shots throughout his career. The 28-year-old is averaging 11.8 points on 10.7 attempts per game this season. His 35.1 three-point percentage is his highest rate since the 2019-20 season.

Okoro could be a key player for the Cavs in the second half this season because he's still young enough to believe in his upside. The Auburn alum is only 21 years old and was the No. 5 pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

It's a small sample size, but Okoro is averaging 9.5 points on 53.8 percent shooting in six games since Dec. 17.

Defense has been Cleveland's calling card so far this season. The team ranks first in the NBA in points allowed per game (106.3) and defensive rating (109.3).

Finding a wing who could be available at the right price for Cleveland could also be a challenge. Jae Crowder would be the most obvious short-term fit because he's in the final season of his contract, but there are going to be no shortage of suitors for his services.

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins is seemingly always on the trade block, but he doesn't fit the Cavs' reported desire for a short-term option because he's signed to a big-money deal through 2024-25 with a player option for 2025-26.

Cleveland's success so far this season could prompt general manager Mike Gansey to go out of his comfort zone with the hope of reaching the NBA Finals.

The Cavaliers rank fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 22-14 record. Their +5.3 net rating is second in the NBA, behind only the Boston Celtics (+6.7).

In the same city where Reggie Miller became one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield broke one of his NBA records on Thursday night.

Hield made a three-pointer three seconds into the Pacers' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He caught the opening tipoff right in front of the three-point line and in one motion fired up a shot that hit nothing but net.

Buddy Hield wasted no time 😂 https://t.co/8dV5OJlbYE

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 30, 2022

Per ESPN Stats & Info, Hield's shot three seconds into the game broke the previous mark of four seconds set by Miller on March 5, 2000.

The record has been tracked since the play-by-play era began with the 1996-97 season.

Miller's record-setting moment came in an otherwise forgettable game by his standards. The Pacers' legend scored 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting in a 114-95 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Hield had one of his most efficient games of the season on Thursday. He scored 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting and made five of his six attempts from behind the arc.

The Pacers put together a fantastic performance, particularly in the second half, in their 135-126 win over the Cavs. They scored 71 points after halftime to earn their fourth victory in the past five games.

Indiana has been a pleasant surprise so far this season with a 19-17 record. It moved into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings after beating the Cavaliers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are concerned that point guard Darius Garland could miss some time after suffering a thumb injury late in Thursday's 135-126 loss to the Indiana Pacers, according to Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor.

Garland sustained the injury in the fourth quarter after getting hit on the right hand by Indiana's Oshae Brissett while driving to the paint. He immediately grabbed his thumb before falling to the court in pain.

Garland, in obvious pain, remained in the game before head coach J.B. Bickerstaff called a timeout so he could get his thumb examined. He returned several minutes later with his thumb wrapped, though he didn't attempt a single shot after returning.

Garland is expected to undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury. After the game, he said his thumb was "bothering" him:

I was just trying to go out there and compete as much as I could. The last two free throws, I looked at J.B. and I was like, 'Ah, I really don't want to shoot these.' But I got fouled and just tried to make two. They didn't go in. Everything hurt. I was playing with a wrapped thumb. I couldn't really do anything. I wasn't going to be effective with that. It was already throbbing and swollen at that point.

Garland has been taking shots all season, and the Cavaliers "believe the increased physicality is purposeful—a result of opponents determining that's the only method to slow the shifty, crafty and quick guard," Fedor wrote.

Garland discussed the physicality against him further following Thursday's loss:

"Just getting hacked all season. Nothing has changed. The physicality isn't a factor at all. It's the whistle not being blown at the right time when it's a foul, an obvious foul. Some of this stuff we should be reviewing."

During Cleveland's season-opening loss to the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 19, Garland suffered an eye injury that knocked him out of the team's next five games. Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. accidentally whacked Garland across the eye, and he suffered a vision-impacting laceration to his eyelid.

The 6-foot-1 point guard has gotten hit in the face so many times this season that he has suggested the team get him a mask or goggles "because it's getting out of hand."

"I'm just tired of getting hit in my face. But I like the aggressive defenses. It's kind of a statement to me and my game," Garland said, per Fedor. "It's super cool that people are just trying to tighten up their shoelaces for me."

Garland eventually returned to the court for a Nov. 2 win over the Boston Celtics, but sat out the next game with a sprained left knee. He has played every game since returning from that knee ailment in a Nov. 6 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 22-year-old has emerged as a significant contributor for the Cavaliers on offense, and losing him for any period of time won't be good for Cleveland, which is mired in a three-game losing streak.

Through 30 games this season, Garland is averaging 21.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 40 percent from deep. If he misses time moving forward, Caris LeVert and Raul Neto would be in line to see more playing time alongside Donovan Mitchell

Cleveland is fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 22-14 record, four games behind the first-place Celtics. The Cavs are back in action on Saturday against the Chicago Bulls.

The New York Knicks were tied with or leading the Chicago Bulls for all but four-tenths of a second in the second half Friday.

However, that's all the Bulls needed as DeMar DeRozan knocked down the game-winning jumper in the final second to lead his team to a 118-117 road win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

DEMAR DEROZAN CALLS GAME 🔥 https://t.co/kzqHi69SOL

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 24, 2022

It was a devastating loss for the Knicks, who wasted a season-high 44 points from RJ Barrett and a 29-point, 12-rebound outing from Julius Randle. The Knicks have dropped to 18-15 with their second consecutive loss after an eight-game winning streak.

This was a tough offensive night for Jalen Brunson, who shot 5-of-15 en route to 12 points. He dished out nine assists but also missed three of his four free throws, including a pair with 6.1 seconds remaining while the Knicks were up 117-116. DeRozan played some mind games with the 89.1 percent free-throw shooter beforehand.

DeRozan tried getting in Brunson's head to ice the game 🍿

Brunson went to the line with the Knicks up 117-116 and missed both FTs 😬 https://t.co/tkPv7x9lSK

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 24, 2022

Regardless of whether that had an effect on Brunson, the Knicks didn't make enough stops or shots down the stretch to win.

Quentin Grimes also missed a pair of free throws when the Knicks were up 115-112 a minute earlier. He shot just 3-of-11 from the field and served as the primary defender on DeRozan on the last shot after a switch. Guarding DeRozan in the mid-range is tough for anyone, though, and the longtime NBA veteran got the job done.

Brunson and Grimes have both played pivotal roles in helping the Knicks turn their season around after a sluggish 10-13 start, with the former arguably serving as the team's MVP this year after signing as a free agent from the Dallas Mavericks.

Still, this was a tough loss to stomach. NBA Twitter took notice, with some fans lamenting the loss and Brunson's late-game performance and others looking at the bigger picture.

Jalen Brunson shocked me tonight. He crumbled under pressure. That better be an anomaly

— kap (@hopefulmetsfan) December 24, 2022

https://twitter.com/KnickyFrmHarlem/status/1606488867317714945

I'll give Jalen Brunson a pass tonight if only for the fact that he has singlehandedly won us games in crunch time this year.

But damn bro you have to make those free throws...have to.#Knicks #NewYorkForever

— Petty White (@P3ttyWhit3) December 24, 2022

Checking in on Knicks fans pic.twitter.com/rh16stxdY7

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) December 24, 2022

Did the refs miss calls? Yes.

But the Knicks missed FT’s were what cost them that game.

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) December 24, 2022

#Knicks fans turning on Brunson already, they turn on any1 that’s not a draft pick of theirs then wonder why no star wants to play for them. If I was a NBA star I’d love to come here sparingly, drop 40-50 +win, just to stick it to the most toxic NBA fan base. #antiknickstwitter

— . (@who_is_jonsmith) December 24, 2022

Knicks handed the bulls that game, disgusting late game execution, 11 missed freethrows, 4 consecutive missed freethrows with under a minute to go, a missed defensive rebound with seconds to go that lead to a layup. They lost this game 3 times. 18-15 got to win on Xmas

— Perry G 🇺🇸 🇮🇹 (@PerryGabriele) December 24, 2022

The Knicks are 1-5 in games at MSG this season decided by 7 points or less

So many brutal losses.

— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) December 24, 2022

2 close losses and some Knicks fans have completely turned on this team 😭

— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) December 24, 2022

The Knicks will stay home to host the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day at noon ET.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are counting down the days until Ricky Rubio is cleared from his torn ACL.

Andscape's Marc J. Spears reported on the Hoop Collective podcast the Cavs are "ecstatic about Rubio's return."

"He means much more to that franchise as a leader and as a guard coming off the bench than I think a lot of people know," Spears said at the 40:20 mark.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN added Cleveland is hopeful that a healthy Rubio will allow Darius Garland to play off the ball a little more.

Rubio initially wasn't thrilled to be traded to the Cavaliers ahead of the 2021-22 season but warmed to the franchise as it far exceeded expectations. The 32-year-old played a key role in Cleveland's hot start, and his knee injury was one reason the team couldn't sustain that level in the second half.

In 34 appearances, the 6'2" guard averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 assists and 1.4 steals. He also shot 33.9 percent from beyond the arc, while his 1.7 made threes per game is a career high.

Because of his lengthy layoff, Rubio will likely have an adjustment period as he gets comfortable on the court again. Even if he isn't as good as he was last season, his presence alone could make a difference for the Cavs.

Raul Neto is ostensibly the backup point guard at the moment, yet he's logging just 8.9 minutes per game. Garland and Donovan Mitchell, meanwhile, are each playing at least 36 minutes a night.

Adding another facilitator to the mix will allow head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to ease the burden on his two best guards, so it's easy to see why Rubio's eventual season debut is such a source of excitement.

For a moment, everything clicked for the Chicago Bulls in their 113-103 win Tuesday night over the Heat in Miami. The team's three stars combined for 74 points, almost as if news of on-court frustrations between stars hadn't engulfed the franchise earlier in the day.

But ending a four-game losing streak with a win over a Miami team missing Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry will only go so far in healing a fractured franchise.

The dysfunction remains, and teams are looking closely at the Bulls as a potential seller ahead of the February 9 trade deadline. While some think DeMar DeRozan or Nikola Vučević could become available, recent events raise the possibility that LaVine may want out.

The Bulls (12-18) remain half a game outside the play-in tournament. A string of wins might get Chicago as far as a first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks or Boston Celtics.

Most executives polled believe a teardown is the way to go in theory, but in the same breath aren't convinced Chicago has the appetite for one.

"The right basketball move is accepting a rebuild, but I don't know that they're willing to do that," one Eastern Conference executive said. "They [face] the sunken-cost fallacy that they gave up Wendell Carter Jr., Franz Wagner (No. 8 in 2021) and this year's pick for Vučević. I don't think they feel like they can justify what they should do, and instead will try to [retool]."

The Athletic's Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry gave a glimpse at the internal dysfunction centered around LaVine and DeRozan not seeing eye-to-eye, including a note about "one-on-one, face-to-face sitdowns between DeRozan and LaVine."

Inside the Chicago Bulls' concerning dynamics, the franchise and Zach LaVine not seeing eye-to-eye, and the organization's efforts to manage the on-court disconnect with LaVine and DeMar DeRozan — with @DarnellMayberry at @TheAthletic:https://t.co/k5dz1z00q8

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 20, 2022

The players can downplay the friction, as they did to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports after last night's game, but their play together over the coming weeks will dictate how the front office proceeds.

Multiple sources took the Athletic story, told from a very LaVine-centric point of view, as an effort by his representation to get the two-time All-Star moved to a new home.

"LaVine never chose Chicago. He was traded there and had his offer sheet [from the Sacramento Kings in 2018] matched," one NBA source said. "He wasn't going to turn away $215 million from the Bulls. No one else had that kind of money to offer."

"Zach's contract was one of those deals that immediately became an eyesore the moment he signed it. He's just not that healthy," the source continued. "I don't know that the Bulls have a real market for him."

Through 26 games, LaVine is averaging 21.7 points on 44.5 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range—his lowest output dating back to the 2017-18 season.

The guard joined Klutch Sports Group in 2021, which naturally raises the specter of the struggling Los Angeles Lakers making a bid for the star. The Lakers could make a pitch for LaVine and Vučević for Russell Westbrook and 1-2 future first-round picks as compensation.

Many around the league are worried about LaVine's health. He overcame his 2017 ACL injury but underwent offseason arthroscopic surgery last offseason, leading to a few missed games "of scheduled maintenance," per The Athletic.

It's enough to give teams pause, but if Anthony Davis isn't out for too long with a foot injury, the Lakers could be willing to take the risk given their struggles in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles has long monitored the Chicago situation, with DeRozan and Vučević potential targets. LaVine, 27, is a better shooter than DeRozan to complement LeBron James. But would L.A. take on that money even if Klutch urged the move?

Contract and health aside, LaVine would complement the Lakers' two stars with his shooting ability. Both he and DeRozan can score, but LaVine is the better outside shooter.

Not many teams would consider taking on a player dealing with knee issues on such a massive contract. Multiple NBA sources struggled to come up with market value given the circumstances. The same sources agreed if there's a price no one else would pay, the Lakers might be willing, though one didn't think the Buss family would consider that large a contract.

Of course, that speculation could easily be moot. As one agent declared, "[Bulls chairperson Jerry] Reinsdorf isn't helping the Lakers."

If LaVine wants out, Reinsdorf and the Bulls have no obligation to honor any request.

---

Bulls Have Yet to Shop Their Best Players

The buzz circling the NBA's Winter Showcase in Las Vegas, with most front offices in attendance, is that the Bulls have yet to shop their best players.

DeRozan, 33, is under contract at $27.3 million (with another season at $28.6 million.) Vučević, 32, is an expiring $22.0 million but could be open to an extend-and-trade in the right situation.

While DeRozan has dipped from last year's career-high 27.9 points a game, he's still at 25.9 while actually shooting a slightly improved 50.7 percent from the field (his three-point shooting is down from 35.2 percent to 30.2, but he has never been a prolific outside shooter). DeRozan is older than LaVine, but his contract is nowhere near the same commitment.

At this early stage, finding viable Chicago partners is purely speculation but worthwhile, given the likelihood. For DeRozan, would the Bulls take on Evan Fournier's $18.9 million for 2023-24 if the New York Knicks offered enough young players (Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, Cam Reddish, etc.) and/or draft compensation?

What about Vučević? Would teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors or Portland Trail Blazers go after the veteran center?

Outside of the Lakers' interest and given each player's age, the Bulls may not find enough of a return to justify a change of direction.

---

Advantage of Blowing It Up

The Bulls owe their first-round pick to the Magic for Vučević with top-4 protection. It may already be too late, barring extreme lottery luck, but Chicago can still get in range of the Detroit Pistons (8-25), Charlotte Hornets (8-23) and Houston Rockets (9-21). With players like Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson bringing extraordinary hype to the top of the lottery, this is a good year to have a top pick.

Losing the pick would be a tough pill to swallow regardless, especially if the Bulls don't re-sign Vučević.

"Even if he's coming back at a good price, they shouldn't reinvest in a losing combination [of players]," an NBA source said.

Of course, if they blow it up, tank and the lottery isn't kind, then re-signing Vučević would still be a tough sell for the front office to make to Reinsdorf.

"What they have doesn't work. They went all-in on it, and I don't think small moves change anything for the team," an NBA source said. "They may just be stuck."

"The Bulls looked great to start last season until Lonzo got hurt. He's so critical to that team; they haven't been the same since," a different Eastern Conference executive said.

Ball's status, like the Bulls' path to contention, remains uncertain. Chicago has until February 9 to decide if there's a fix. By then, the chance of keeping this year's pick may be close to nil.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.

As details continue to emerge regarding a locker room confrontation among Chicago Bulls players, star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan offered his perspective on the situation.

K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports reported that "multiple teammates directed frustration at Zach LaVine" during a "strong exchange" at halftime of Sunday's 150-136 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that there was an additional confrontation after the loss.

After snapping a four-game losing streak with a 113-103 win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday, DeRozan told reporters he believes the exchange was healthy for the Bulls.

"It'd be a problem if we didn't have any aggressive confrontation. It ain't like nobody threw blows or chairs or anything," DeRozan said. "To have any type of confrontation is just a true sign of a competitor. When you want to win, and things aren't going right, frustration kicks in."

Earlier on Tuesday, The Athletic's Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry reported that LaVine and the Bulls "are not seeing eye to eye." The report also stated, "there's been a palpable feeling across various parts of the franchise of a disconnect over LaVine's situation in Chicago."

The Bulls signed the two-time All-Star to a five-year, $215 million max contract extension over the summer, but the 2022-23 season has not gone the way they'd hoped. Chicago is just 12-18 after Tuesday's win over Miami and sits in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

However, to DeRozan's point, the confrontation on Sunday may benefit the Bulls in the long run. Chicago put forth one of its better offensive performances of the season on Tuesday, with Nikola Vučević (29 points), DeRozan (24) and LaVine (21) all shooting over 50 percent from the field in the victory.

The Bulls will look to carry that winning formula into Wednesday's road matchup against the Atlanta Hawks (16-15).

During the Chicago Bulls' 150-136 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, "multiple teammates directed frustration at Zach LaVine" during a "strong exchange" at halftime, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

Johnson asked Bulls head coach Billy Donovan about the confrontation, and he said "confrontation is healthy" and that players holding each other accountable is a "good thing."

The news comes after The Athletic's Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry reported that LaVine and the Bulls "are not seeing eye-to-eye."

According to Joe Cowley, another confrontation occurred after the game.

The Athletic added in its report that "there's been a palpable feeling across various parts of the franchise of a disconnect over LaVine's situation in Chicago."

At this time last season, things were going well for Chicago as the Bulls were the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. This season, the team is 11th in the conference with an 11-18 record and appears far from contending with the best of the best.

LaVine spoke to The Athletic about the report and the growing frustration within the team:

"I think everybody goes through ups and downs, just like every team does. Obviously if we're not winning games, not everybody's going to be happy. It's not going to look as good as it was before. It's all glitter and show when you're winning games. But when you're losing games and you're trying to do the same things it's turmoil. Everybody has their right to their own opinion. For me, I keep my head down. I work on my game and try to help my team. I help try to lead the team. That's where I stand. I just try to take it day by day and evaluate how we're doing."

LaVine entered the 2022-23 campaign coming off back-to-back All-Star Game selections, but he hasn't lived up to the hype this season, with his numbers down across the board. Through 25 games, he's averaging 21.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent from deep.

After signing a five-year, $215 million max deal over the summer, the 27-year-old was expected to perform far better this year.

The Bulls have had a number of team meetings "to try and work out their issues," according to The Athletic, and that has also included one-on-one meetings between LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, who have experienced an on-court disconnect this year.

Chicago revolves around the play of LaVine and DeRozan, and if they aren't jiving on the court, then the Bulls have little chance of finding success. If the duo can figure out what the issue is quickly, then the Bulls will have a much better chance of becoming a playoff team.

All is not well in the Windy City. Namely, between Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls.

Amid the team's surprising 11-18 season, Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic reported Tuesday that "multiple league sources and sources close to the organization say LaVine and the Bulls are not seeing eye to eye. Over the past few weeks, there's been a palpable feeling across various parts of the franchise of a disconnect over LaVine's situation in Chicago."

Charania and Mayberry added the Bulls have held "have held multiple team meetings to try to work out their issues, and that has included one-on-one, face-to-face sitdowns" with LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.

Per that report, LaVine and DeRozan have maintained a strong personal relationship, but on the court a level of "stylistic tension" has been palpable.

LaVine told Sharania and Mayberry:

"There's a certain level of frustration in people trying to figure out what we can do to help right the ship. I think with the players that we have, we try to put it on each other to right the ship. We have those type of guys, those type of mentalities where each of us have been number one options on a team before and then we all come together collectively. It's not going to take one person. It's going to take all of us as a unit. I think that's what guys are trying to figure out how to help the group."

Some of those issues may have carried over from last season. The Bulls were fantastic to start the year and headed into the All-Star break in a tie atop the Eastern Conference at 38-21.

But something shifted down the stretch, and the Bulls limped to an 8-15 record to finish the regular season. That dropped them from the top of the Eastern Conference to the No. 6 seed, and they were promptly dismissed by the Milwaukee Bucks in five games during the opening round of the playoffs.

Like last season, DeRozan has emerged as the team's leading scorer (25.9 PPG). But LaVine has seen a slight dip in just about every statistical category from a season ago, and his 21.8 points per game represents his lowest scoring average since the 2017-18 season, his first with the Bulls.

The Bulls have actually outscored their opponents by 3.6 points per 100 possessions with LaVine off the court, per NBA.com, but have been outscored by 5.3 points per 100 possessions while he's played. That's a concerning trend for a star player.

They also have a negative net rating when DeRozan plays (-0.6), though they've been actively worse (-4.6 net rating) when he sits.

"We've got to get out of the mindset of worrying about scoring and how's it going offensively and realize the ball scores," head coach Billy Donovan told reporters Sunday. "And if the ball's moved and passed whoever scores, scores."

Something is amiss in Chicago. The Bulls have too much talent to struggle to this degree. Unless the team learns how to operate as a unit, it's going to be a long season.