Bulls News

Nikola Vucevic knew he was in for a big night with Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poetl out

"With them missing Poeltl, we knew they had a little bit of a size disadvantage."

Stephen Beslic

© Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic had an inkling he would have a good game against the Toronto Raptors when he learned that their opponent’s starting center, Jakob Poeltl, would be sitting out due to an injury. 

His clue proved right as he recorded a double-double with 24 points on 12-of-20 shooting and 14 rebounds, leading the Bulls to a 116-110 victory.

The perfect storm

Vucevic knew that without Poeltl, the Raptors would have a size disadvantage in the paint. With the Raptors also recently trading way power forward Pascal Siakam, Toronto had little choice but to start inexperienced big man Jontay Porter.

This was the opening Vucevic needed to impose his will against the Raptors, and he got the party started early, registering 10 points, five boards, and three assists in the first quarter, which ended with the Bulls ahead, 38-24.

“With them missing Poeltl, we knew they had a little bit of a size disadvantage, and we were trying to take advantage of it,” Vucevic said.

Ruled the paint

The Raptors adjusted their defense in the second to slow down Vooch’s roll, and it worked to some degree as the Bulls went away from their big man, allowing Toronto to make a run and cut the deficit to single digits at halftime, 63-58.

The Bulls recovered and moved the ball from side to side, getting open looks for Vucevic and other shooters. In the fourth quarter, Coby White and DeMar DeRozan brought the Bulls past the finish line, hitting several clutch shots in the game’s final moments. Overall, Chicago outscored Toronto inside by 24 points, 74-50.

“There were probably some more opportunities, but sometimes it’s tough because they were switching and helping a lot. We did a good job moving the ball and being aggressive,” Vooch said.

Published
Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

Home/News