CHICAGO _ Chandler Hutchison strolled into the traded Justin Holiday's vacated starting small forward spot Friday night, taking his place alongside the baby-faced lineup of Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.
That's an average age of 22.5, with two rookies and nobody older than Dunn's soon-to-be-25 for those still awake this Bulls season.
But that wasn't the only difference in the Bulls' approach. Pushing the pace and shooting 3-pointers more freely, the offense finally followed through on coach Jim Boylen's promise to eventually open up.
Ultimately, that offense couldn't overcome the streaking Pacers, who won their sixth straight with a 119-116 overtime victory. Victor Oladipo banked in a 3-pointer over Dunn with 0.3 seconds left, capping a stretch of ridiculous shot-making.
Myles Turner, whom Dunn dunked on viciously with 72 seconds left in OT, sank a 3-pointer with 29.6 seconds to play. Markkanen matched that 3-pointer to tie it with 9.3 seconds remaining.
After the game-winner by Oladipo, who scored 36, LaVine for good measure sank another 3-pointer that came just after the overtime buzzer, a call held up by video review.
But with LaVine scoring 31 points and Markkanen 27, Dunn recording a double-double with 16 points and a career-high 17 assists and Carter posting 15 points and eight rebounds, the future flashed some serious potential.
And, really, that's what this season is about.
The Bulls attempted more 3-pointers than they had since winning Dec. 15 in San Antonio and reached 100 points for the fourth time in Boylen's 15 games as coach. They also posted their first 30-point first quarter since Dec. 10.
LaVine mostly fueled that early barrage, scoring 17 of his points in the first quarter before sitting almost all the second with foul trouble. LaVine forced overtime with a 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds left, capping his 12-point fourth quarter.
At the end of day, Holiday or no Holiday, Robin Lopez or no Robin Lopez, the second half of the Bulls' season _ and the rebuild _ remains centered on LaVine, Dunn and Markkanen.
"We need to see growth. We need to see how they play," executive vice president John Paxson said pregame. "We're a month into Jim's tenure now, and I think they understand what's expected. There are going to be hard games. We just need to see development."
Boylen basically challenged the principals acquired in the Jimmy Butler trade to do more.
"We are trying to explain to our guys what leadership looks like, show them what leadership looks like, give examples of when we do or don't do it," Boylen said. "And Lauri, Zach and Kris have to do more. Not just play, they have to do more at the defensive and offensive end. And they have to make people better.
"Justin was a big-time defender, big-time team guy and was reliable. Guys have to pick up the slack. And I'm banking that they will."
