FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Bulls - Game 76 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Bulls – Game 76 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (38-38) | Chicago Bulls (36-40)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers took care of business and got their revenge as they defeated the Chicago Bulls 121-110

The Lakers vs Bulls played at the United Center on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers got a much-needed win against the Chicago Bulls to get back to .500 (38-38), and they’ll move into the 8th seed in the West. Anthony Davis showed out in his hometown, totaling 38 points (13-for-20 FGs, 11-for-14 FTs), ten boards, three assists, two steals, two blocks, and zero turnovers.

D’Angelo Russell returned to the lineup after being sidelined for the previous two games, and he finished with 17 points (7-of-12 FGs, 2-for-4 3s), four rebounds, and five assists. LeBron James produced 25 points (10-of-19 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Austin Reaves had 19 points (7-of-8 FGs) and five assists. 

“That AR always got my back. Always,” James said of what he thought about Austin Reaves making the “too small” gesture to Patrick Beverley. “Even though he loved Kobe back in the day more than me. I forgive him.”

“He did it last time we played on LeBron,” Reaves said. “It wasn’t something I thought about all game, but I felt like, right time, right situation. Like you said, me and Pat have a good relationship; I respect him. It’s just me competing.”

D’Angelo Russell finally returned to the lineup

With the Bulls having to worry about both James and Russell on the perimeter, Reaves attacked at an advantage, and he was already 3-for-3 with eight points.

The start of the Lakers vs Bulls’ first half. 

It was a forceful, impressive start from the Lakers, who took an 18-8 lead into the first time out. The new starting group looked excellent on both sides of the ball. It was a mix of defense, shooting, and playmaking around James and Davis.

Los Angeles led 27-10 after another interior bucket from Russell, following a strong move and finish from Davis through Nikola Vucevic. 

However, Vucevic proved to be a problem early on, as he scored 15 of Chicago’s first 20 points. Vucevic finished the game with 29 points (12-of-16 FGs. 3-for-4 3s), 12 rebounds, and six assists. In addition, DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points, and Coby White had 17 points and nine assists.

After a layup from Dennis Schroder, the Lakers’ all-bench unit didn’t score for more than two minutes as Reaves, Russell, and James all took a rest. Los Angeles led by as many as 17, but that lead had dwindled down to 31-20 headed into the second quarter. 

The Lakers’ bench only totaled 14 points in this one (Eight points from Schroder and six points from Rui Hachimura).

Turnovers nearly killed the Lakers against Chicago for a second straight game. As Los Angeles turned the ball over 16 times, gifting the Bulls with 27 points off of those miscues. (Eight of those turnovers came from James and Malik Beasley)

The end of the Lakers vs Bulls’ first half. 

Los Angeles closed the first half on a 10-0 run after trailing 51-49 with 2:06 left. The Lakers’ bench struggled with just seven points on 3-for-11 shooting.

The start of the Lakers vs Bulls’ second half. 

James, Reaves, and Russell all sat with Los Angeles up 79-63, with Schroder being the only playmaker on the court alongside Davis and three other bench players. However, that turned out to be an 11-0 Chicago run moments after they all sat together.

A dunk from Zach LaVine got Chicago within seven with 56.7 seconds left in the third quarter. Los Angeles quickly pulled away in the final quarter, however.

A three-point play from Schroder made it 97-79 with 8:22 left, capping a 12-3 Lakers run. Davis connected on his only 3-point attempt with 6:07 to go, lifting Los Angeles to a 105-87 lead.

Up next is a visit with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. The Lakers are 0-2 against the Timberwolves this season.

This was Los Angeles’ 38th starting lineup in an injury-plagued season.

The final score of the Lakers vs Bulls was 121-110, Los Angeles. 

The Lakers now take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday, March 31st, at 5:00 p.m. PST. The game is on Bally Sports North, NBA TV, and Spectrum SportsNet.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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