CHICAGO _ For five games, Lauri Markkanen's back barked. On Friday night at United Center, with Markkanen back, Cameron Payne barked.
He did so at Brandon Jennings, with the jawing leading to double technical fouls as the competitive guards left the floor at halftime of the Bucks' eventual 118-105 victory over the Bulls.
It spoke to Payne's growing confidence as he continues to put last season's disastrous rotational turn in the past and provide evidence he can be a viable piece for the rebuild. Payne, who retreated to the locker room in the third quarter after appearing to roll his right ankle, finished with 17 points, six assists and four rebounds while committing just one turnover in 31 minutes.
"I know I can play in this league," Payne said.
Payne scored eight points in the first 3 minutes and also sank a big 3-pointer to give life to a fourth-quarter comeback attempt that fell short. But he also committed the type of turnover you simply can't _ a crosscourt pass against a set defense _ that underscored the growing pains he and the Bulls are experiencing.
As for Markanen, he finished with nine points and six rebounds on 3-for-7 shooting in just 22 minutes, 17 seconds. He sat for the final 16 minutes as the Bulls continue to take conservative approaches with victories, um, injuries.
Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, Paul Zipser and Antonio Blakeney all sat as the Bulls started their 19th different lineup this season.
Shabazz Muhammad came off the bench to score 21 points and lead seven Bucks in double figures as they navigated a road victory without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sprained his right ankle on Wednesday. The Bucks' bench also got 18 points on a 6-for-6 shooting night from ex-Bull Tony Snell and 16 points from Jennings.
In fact, the Bucks' reserves 70-37 edge over their Bulls' counterparts snapped a streak of 10 straight games in which the Bulls' bench had outscored its opponent.
The Bulls responded to their dismal showing on Wednesday against the Nuggets with at least a competitive pulse. Cristiano Felicio scored in double figures for his career-best fourth straight game and added his second double-double in that stretch. Bobby Portis posted his career-best seventh straight game with 15 or more points. And Denzel Valentine scored a team-high 20 points.
But the loss pulled the Bulls to within a half-game of the Kings for seventh place in the draft lottery standings. And that, ultimately, is the goal these days.
