Cordaro Johnson (Haize) here, the host of the daily Locked On Bulls podcast, with your daily Locked On Bulls newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Bulls and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Bulls Break Losing Streak with LaVine’s Stellar Performance
The Chicago Bulls finally snapped their five-game losing streak, thanks to a dominant third-quarter performance led by Zach LaVine. The Bulls outscored the Los Angeles Clippers 36-16 in the third, with LaVine contributing 15 points to the Clippers’ total 16.
This victory showcased the Bulls’ potential when they play with confidence and execute their game plan effectively. The team’s ability to bounce back after being down by two at halftime demonstrates a resilience that has been lacking in recent games.
LaVine’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he continues to cement his place in Bulls history. With this game, he tied Bob Love for the second-most 30-point games in franchise history. This achievement underscores LaVine’s importance to the team and his status as one of the best offensive players in Bulls history.
Despite the absence of key players, the Bulls’ lineup adjustments proved effective. The defensive effort in the first quarter set the tone for the game, although there was a slight lapse in the second quarter. However, the team’s ability to regroup and dominate in the third quarter ultimately secured the win.
One notable aspect of the game was the limited playing time for rookie Matas Buzelis, who only saw action in the first half. This decision by coach Billy Donovan raises questions about the team’s approach to developing young talent, especially given Buzelis’s potential and the team’s current standing.
The victory against the Clippers, even with their star player Kawhi Leonard sidelined, is a positive sign for the Bulls. It demonstrates that when the team plays with energy and focus, they can compete with playoff-caliber opponents.
Looking ahead, the challenge for the Bulls will be to maintain this level of performance consistently. The team has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency throughout the season. If they can replicate the effort and execution displayed in this game, particularly in the third quarter, the Bulls could potentially turn their season around.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bulls’ performance against the Clippers, tune into the Locked On Bulls podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bulls Podcast:
• Zach LaVine’s place in Bulls history
• The impact of lineup changes on team performance
• Concerns about rookie playing time and development
Jan 19, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dunks against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Paycom Center. | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Back with the second half of our midseason report specifically focusing on changes with a farther reaching affect than just this season. A midseason report adjusted for inflation, if you will. If you missed the first half, you can find it here.
Shifting hardware
If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes home the MVP trophy this season (as predicted in this newsletter back in mid-October), we’re in for a shift. While merit for the award comes down to performance, it also hinges on a slew of other factors, and some of those skew intangible.
The pool of MVP candidates, season-to-season, stays largely the same because athletes who are that good tend to stay good for stable stretches of time and because once someone has gained our attention, we don’t tend to shift it. We’re creatures of habit, and the people tasked with MVP voting are, too.
Thunder fans have been banging the SGA drum for seasons now, but it’s just this year that he’s finally managed to break through into the broader collective consciousness. We give a lot of weight to the concept of “readiness”, as in, when young athletes break through an invisible barrier and are able to handle some combination of the spotlight, leadership responsibilities, consistent high-level competition, and yes, award consideration.
The reality of readiness is that it’s mostly reached through repetition. Occasionally that’s accelerated through a trade — Henry Abbott at TrueHoop wrote a compelling case on how this could be true for Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr.
Household names get that way because we’ve said them so many times, not because some invisible cue or professional marker was met.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Rumor Could Zach LaVine be on the move? A wild trade idea suggests a potential deal that could work for the Chicago Bulls and another NBA team. (Bleacher Report)
Celebrate Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis has committed to the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, looking to make a mark with his high-flying abilities. (CBS Sports)
Analysis The Sixers and Suns’ struggles won’t end “Big Threes” in the NBA. (Forbes)
Watch Inside the NBA: On MLK Day, a look back at the movement to overcome. (ESPN)
NBA Tuesday Fantasy Basketball Preview: Streaming Options and Injury Updates
Jan 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) dunks the basketball during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen/Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
As we look ahead to Tuesday’s NBA action, there are several key storylines and player situations to monitor. With five games on the schedule, fantasy managers have some interesting decisions to make regarding lineups and streaming options.
The Brooklyn Nets are dealing with multiple injury concerns. Ben Simmons is probable to return from illness, while D’Angelo Russell is questionable with hamstring tightness. This creates uncertainty around playing time and roles. Nic Claxton’s value is also in question due to inconsistent minutes and performance. For streaming purposes, Noah Clowney could be worth a look if Simmons sits.
One of the biggest spots to watch is what Miami does with rookie big man Kel’el Ware. Ware started the second half last game, next to Bam Adebayo, and is a guy to grab in case he begins a run of being a starter.
In Orlando, the Magic will be without Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Goga Bitadze. This opens up opportunities for Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony to see increased usage. Both are solid streaming options in most formats for Tuesday’s matchup against Toronto.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Schedule analysis for the upcoming week
• Five-game and two-game team outlooks
• Deeper league streaming targets
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bulls podcasts.
The Chicago Bulls Want To Be Sellers At The Deadline.. So What’s Stopping Them? Explore the intricate dynamics of the Bulls’ roster management, including the challenges of retaining talents like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu under the new CBA rules. Haize examines the front office’s past decisions, comparing the Bulls’ situation to more successful franchises like the Miami Heat and New York Knicks.
Zach LaVine’s Historic Night Propels Bulls to Victory Over Clippers Hosts Haize and Pat explore LaVine’s place in Bulls history, debating his status as one of the team’s top scorers alongside legends like Michael Jordan. They also discuss Matas Buzelis’ entry into the NBA dunk contest and touch on the evolving dynamics of race in sports.
From Derrick Rose Night to Rock Bottom: The Bulls’ Freefall Haize and Pat dissect the team’s defensive lapses and coaching challenges, questioning whether talent alone can carry them through the NBA season. The conversation also explores potential roster changes and the implications of keeping veterans during a rebuild.
