MEMPHIS, Tenn. – If the Chicago Bulls are trying to deliver on the promise that their current team can compete with the NBA’s best, Thursday night wasn’t the most promising start.

Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas spent much of his afternoon at the post-trade press conference reiterating that the team can be “competitive” in the Eastern Conference and “really good”.

 

 

But the Bulls struggled to prove that claim just hours later against the Memphis Grizzlies, a team ranked last in the Western Conference with just 18 wins.

The Grizzlies long ago abandoned the concept of competing after a series of injuries cut short their season, led by the departure of superstar Ja Morant. Their injury report for the game listed 10 absences, including Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Derrick Rose, and Luke Kennard. Aside from star center Jaren Jackson Jr., the starting lineup is barely recognizable.

The Bulls took a 118-110 victory but struggled to establish dominance until late in the fourth quarter, which lasted most of the game. They improved to 25-27 and remained in 9th place in the East.

DeMar DeRozan led the way with 30 points and Coby White had 20 points and eight assists. And if one thing is clear after their second straight win, the Bulls’ two-big-man lineup could be here to stay.

Coach Billy Donovan made his debut Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, starting Nikola Vučević and Andre Drummond in hopes of stopping the potent combination of Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert.

The Bulls did not open with Drummond and Vučević on the Memphis court, instead choosing to start Ayo Dosunmu. But Drummond entered the game with 4 minutes, and 47 seconds left in the first half, and quickly settled into the rotation alongside Vučević.

The Bulls used a two-big-man lineup even as the Grizzlies took Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama. And they opened the second half with Drummond and Vučević on the pitch, reflecting a growing comfort in the duo.

Vučević finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Drummond scored 21 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.

“They had to pick their poison,” Drummond said after Tuesday’s victory. “Either you let me hit you in the paint, or he can shoot 3s or hit you in the paint. It’s a great duo.

The pairing of veteran centers feels natural, forcing the three guards on the court to adjust more than the big men in the paint. Drummond and Vučević passed the ball to each other at the far post and fed each other buckets throughout the match.

Donovan noted that Vučević was particularly interested in finding a spot in the low block after feeling his teammates missed him at times this season.

“Vooch is a big guy, he probably reviews publications more than anyone,” Donovan said. “Sometimes we miss Vooch, we miss André at the post. Vooch doesn’t miss anyone in the position. He throws it there. He sets a good example. ‘Okay, when I get there, throw it in there. Do you see what I’m doing? »

Drummond said he only trained with Vučević on Tuesday morning, and even that was only brief. But he thinks they can understand each other in a live match.

Although Drummond admits they still have room to grow, he is looking forward to playing more alongside Vučević.

“With the training and time together, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work,” Drummond said. “Vooch has played with big men throughout his career and I’ve played with other big men throughout my career, so it’s not a shocking factor. Nothing new.

“It’s just real work. He’s a smart player, I’m a smart player. I stay away from him and others.