The Latest Breaking News from Zach LaVine

Despite falling behind by 19 points in the third quarter, LaVine & Co. took advantage of Toronto’s 18-for-36 performance at the free-throw line ... and got a little help along the way from DeMar DeRozan’s 9-year-old daughter. Now it’s off to Miami to face the Heat on Friday with a…

The players and coach are likable and talented, but the Bulls have been so disappointing.

CHICAGO — When the final buzzer of the NBA regular season sounded Sunday at the United Center, it marked a clear step back for the Chicago Bulls, who finished with a 40-42 record after a 103-81 win over the Detroit Pistons.

With the regular season in the books, the attention quickly turned to Toronto and the play-in game on Wednesday. It hasn’t gone great for the Bulls up north this season, but Alex Caruso & Co. expect that to change.

While LaVine will never be mistaken for a Jimmy Butler on the defensive side of the ball, he has made some subtle improvements in Year 9, helping Donovan guide the team to a top five rating.

Chicago closes out their regular season against the Pistons on Sunday.

While the win over Dallas on Friday was more about pride than changing anything in the standings for the Bulls, with the Raptors losing to the Celtics, the play-in game was set.

With the No. 10 seed — and the final play-in spot — locked up, the Bulls sat DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Patrick Beverley against the Mavericks to give them a rest.

No amount of lipstick and blush can make this Bulls season look pretty.