Zach LaVine knows coming back from huge deficits isn't sustainable

LaVine says the Bulls must not play from behind all the time.

© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Being a nine-year NBA veteran, Zach LaVine knows how hard it is to win in the NBA, especially when you fall behind by double-digits for three straight games. While the Bulls were able to mount a huge comeback against the Miami Heat last Saturday, LaVine knows that performing at such a high level on a consistent basis isn’t realistic.

Playing from behind

The Bulls faced off against the Orlando Magic twice last week and scored 33 points in the first halves of both games. They rallied in the endgame, but the Magic foiled them twice, no thanks to clutch shots by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

It was the same story against the Miami Heat last Saturday as the Bulls trailed by 21, 22-1 before the reserves began righting the ship. They eventually pulled a win from the jaws of defeat, 102-97, as DeMar DeRozan made some huge shots down the stretch. As the Bulls’ ace guard, Zach LaVine heaved a sigh of relief after the victory, he knew that playing with fire every night would leave the team burned.

“We’ve been playing hard and playing from behind the last three, four games. So, to be able to finally come up with one was good. Obviously, don’t want to be (behind) 20-1. Found a way to win tonight, but obviously not going to be able to sustain that,” LaVine said.

LAVINE LACES IT FROM DEEP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4ZhpR2oVnh

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) November 19, 2023

What’s the solution to these slow starts?

DeRozan is just as befuddled as the rest of Chicago’s fanbase regarding the Bulls’ lethargic starts of late.

“If we had the answer, we’d fix it right away,’’ DeRozan said. “Playing with a sense of urgency, playing like we want to win. Not easing into it. First half, first quarter, it’s like we’re easing into it. Thinking too much, and then it kind of steamrolls.’’

As the Bulls head to another match against the Heat on Monday night, Bulls coach Billy Donovan hopes his players will focus on the play in front of them rather than past ones.

“I really believe that when you’re playing the game, the possession in front of you should be dictating that spirit, energy, urgency we need to have,’’ Donovan shared.

WATCH YOU HEAD 😲😲 pic.twitter.com/3S3zjbvCpl

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) November 19, 2023

Chicago Bulls rally from 21 points down to defeat Miami Heat