SAN ANTONIO — On the second night of a back-to-back, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich rested rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.
The Bulls needed every break they could get Saturday.
Despite taking on a seven-win San Antonio team without its best player, they needed some late-game heroics to pull out the victory, and they can thank Nikola Vucevic, who came through in the clutch.
Zach LaVine had only 10 points in the Bulls’ 122-116 victory but continued to build up his assist and rebounding numbers. At this point, versatile LaVine performances are a win-win for the organization.
The Bulls (19-22) are 4-1 since LaVine’s return from a right-foot injury, and maybe the trade market for his services will heat up.
Coach Billy Donovan is more concerned with what LaVine has looked like since his return and how he has integrated himself into the style of play the team put together while he was in street clothes.
LaVine has been attacking the paint and making quicker decisions.
“The more aggressive he can be making quick decisions and being decisive, it’s going to open up a lot of things for him and the team,” Donovan said. “The one thing I feel like he’s done is he’s making quicker decisions. He’s trying to get off the ball.”
It wasn’t an easy night, however, as the Spurs cut the Bulls’ lead to a point with 48 seconds left before a three-pointer by Vucevic with 31 seconds left all but iced the game.
“It always feels good to hit a big shot at the end of a game,” Vucevic said. “Really happy I made the shot, but more happy that it helped us win the game.”
Alex Caruso then finished off San Antonio from the free-throw line.
Welcome back, Carter
The Bulls jumped to sign guard Jevon Carter when free agency began last offseason with a three-year, $20 million deal.
But the team hasn’t exactly been jumping to play him lately.
Before the game against the Spurs, Carter fell behind Dalen Terry in the rotation, playing only four minutes in the game Monday against the Hornets, then getting back-to-back DNPs.
Donovan said he wanted size against the Rockets, so he went with Terry over Carter. Then against the Warriors, he just wanted to reward Terry for playing well.
Plus, Donovan admittedly wasn’t digging the 10-man rotation.
“The thing that has always been a bit tough to do is to play 10 people because inevitably those ninth and 10th guys, it’s five minutes here, four minutes there, and it’s hard to get into a flow,” he said. “Jevon is really professional, comes in and gets his work in, and I’m sure he wants to play, wants to be out there. But in my conversations with him, I just want to be direct and up front with him.”
Carter was rewarded in the victory against the Spurs, however. He outplayed Terry, scoring 14 points in 24 minutes.
Williams rests ankle
Forward Patrick Williams missed the game because of lingering issues with his right ankle.
Donovan said the pain in the ankle was also affecting his heel, so the medical staff made the decision to sit Williams in the second game of a back-to-back.
The feeling was that he would be ready to go by Monday, when the Bulls play the Cavaliers.
