CHICAGO _ So you're sitting directly behind the Suns' bench, enjoying an adult beverage and starting that holiday vibe with some NBA action at the United Center.
All Ryan Arcidiacono sees is a loose ball.
Exemplifying the hustle that has defined his stint as starting point guard, Arcidiacono vaulted the Suns' bench, flipped into the first row and soaked his shorts and the fans with suds in vain pursuit of the ball. When the gritty guard sank a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, the crowd erupted.
The hustle proved contagious.
Snapping a four-game skid, the Bulls piled up 19 fast-break points and shot a season-high 56.8 percent in a 124-116 victory over the Suns on Wednesday, tying their season-high for points. Arcidiacono finished with 14 points and four 3-pointers, not missing a shot until the fourth quarter.
That's when Zach LaVine scored 12 of his 29 points, underscoring his offensive growth. Returning from missing one game to illness, LaVine missed his first five shots. But instead of forcing shots, he stayed patient, started attacking the rim and later got his jumper working.
"I felt good," LaVine said.
Jabari Parker also had his offensive game working, narrowly missing his first career triple double with 20 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. He consistently rebounded and pushed the pace in transition, more often than not finding the open man.
The Bulls got a huge basket from Wendell Carter Jr. on an Arcidiacono feed with 37.3 seconds left on a nifty out-of-bounds play by coach Fred Hoiberg. The basket pushed the Bulls' lead to five, making it a two-possession game.
Hoiberg talked about morale staying strong despite the recent woes.
"They've come to work. Every day they come into practice with a good attitude and good spirit," Hoiberg said. "You have to show the mistakes that are being made and make the necessary corrections. There is negativity in a film session."
There won't be much from this one, and Hoiberg talked about the need to have that work rewarded with a victory.
Shaquille Harrison delivered strong reserve minutes backing up Arcidiacono against the team that cut him in training camp. He posted nine points, four rebounds and four assists and played strong defense throughout.
In the battle of lottery pick big men, No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton outplayed No. 7 pick Carter. Ayton finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds and placed Carter in foul trouble. The Bulls' rookie finished with 14 points and five rebounds.
With Chandler Hutchison sidelined by back spasms, Cameron Payne stayed in the rotation for the second straight game. He started last game with LaVine out.
Payne grabbed Hutchison's reserve wing minutes in a seldom-seen rotational turn that matched the Suns' wing-heavy, smaller lineup. Payne even sank a 3-pointer to beat the first-quarter buzzer, his first such shot since Nov. 2.
