CHICAGO _ Executive vice president John Paxson will address reporters early Tuesday regarding the specifics of Monday's meeting with Zach LaVine, his representatives and Bulls' doctors, trainers and coaches. The sitdown centered on when LaVine debuts.
A more pertinent question may be: Has he become a lockdown defender in his 11-month rehab from left ACL surgery?
That's what the Bulls need after the Rockets became the latest team to slice and dice their way to a 116-107 victory. The Bulls have allowed 116 or more points in five straight games for the first time since January 1983.
They had allowed 124 or more in a franchise-worst four straight games. They avoided becoming the first team to allow 124 or more points in five straight games since the Nuggets from March to April 1991, according to basketball-reference.com.
Chris Paul and Eric Gordon each posted 24 points with nine assists as the Rockets made 20 3-pointers. Gerald Green added 22 points off the bench and Trevor Ariza's 18 points all came on 3-pointers.
Bobby Portis' 22 points led the Bulls, who officially reached the halfway point of their first season of a full rebuild at 14-27. Kris Dunn added 19 points, eight assists.
With Nikola Mirotic sidelined by a stomach virus, Cristiano Felicio played first-half minutes for the first time in over a month and first minutes of any kind since Dec. 23. On his first possession after entering, Felicio fouled Paul on a 3-pointer and he converted the free throw for a four-point play.
As for LaVine, he has understood the Bulls' conservative approach but has been hoping behind the scenes to make his debut on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks.
"He's doing windmills and between the legs. I think he's good to go," Dunn said. "I asked him if he was playing today."
Before Monday's meeting, all signs pointed to the window opening for LaVine's debut with Saturday's home game against the Pistons. A plan to have LaVine first play in G League games got scrapped because Windy City has no home games until Jan. 19.
Whenever it happens, Dunn, who played with him last season with the Timberwolves, is excited.
"He's a dynamic scorer for us. He can get out in transition, shoot the 3 ball. He can pull up. He's a guy who can create for others too," Dunn said, "It's just another playmaker on the court. He's going to make the game easier for everybody."
Dunn, who has emerged as a go-to closer this season, isn't worried at all about adjusting to playing alongside LaVine.
"I understand his game. I know his spots," Dunn said. "If he gets the ball off the rim or somebody passes to him in transition, let him go. I'm going to find my way. And if I have the ball, he's going to find his way. We know how to feed off each other.
"Zach is not a selfish player. He takes the right shots. If he sees somebody open, he's going to pass the ball. It's all about playing the right way."
