STARTING SHOT FOR NOAH
With Markkanen out, Vonleh scores 8 points, goes 3- for- 11 from field
The Bulls have been intrigued by 6- 9, 245- pound forward Noah Vonleh and his three- point shot since they acquired the 2014 first- round pick from the Trail Blazers in February.
“When Portland beat us by 100 out there, he was raining threes like Ray Allen,” coach Fred Hoiberg said after the trade, referring to Vonleh’s 2- for- 4 performance from long range against the Bulls in January.
Vonleh got his best opportunity yet Tuesday against the Clippers, getting a last- minute start — his first as a Bull — after Lauri Markkanen was a late scratch with back spasms.
It would’ve been a great story if Vonleh had responded with a memorable performance that led the Bulls to victory and helped establish him as a foundation piece. But, alas, this rebuild isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a lot of work and a long process with no end in sight. Vonleh scored eight points and went 3- for- 11 from the field — including 0- for- 5 from three- point range — with seven rebounds in 27 minutes as the Bulls lost to the Clippers 112- 106 before 20,912 at the United Center.
“I felt like they were good shots, open shots,” Vonleh said. “I stepped into them. I just missed them tonight. It wasn’t a great shooting night. But I did some [ good] things out there, and I can just build off that. There are going to be offnights when I’m shooting. I’ve got to play hard, with energy and learn from that.”
It remains to be seen when Vonleh will get another shot. Markkanen is day- to- day, Hoiberg said.
“He’s had some pain in his back the last couple of days,’’ Hoiberg said, ‘‘ and he felt really good [ Tuesday] morning at shootaround, and he was ready to go. And when he was in the weight room before the game, he felt the pain in his lower back again.”
Markkanen’s absence gave Vonleh an opportunity, but the constant changes in the Bulls’ starting lineup and rotation don’t seem to be helping matters. This was the sixth different starting lineup in the last six games. And it also prevented the Big Three foundation of Markkanen, Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine from getting the experience they need together to accelerate the rebuild.
Dunn scored 18 points on 6- for- 9 shooting, with six assists. But LaVine struggled, shooting 3- of- 13 from the field, including 1- for- 5 on three- pointers, to finish with 10 points. Bobby Portis led the Bulls ( 23- 44) with 19 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
“It’s tough [ with all the different lineups], but I don’t think we look at it like that,” Dunn said. “We just go out and play hard. We’re young. We’re trying to figure outwhowe are as a team. I think Noah did a good job. I think he gave us great minutes. He was a little winded because of those minutes, but he defended well. He got some good, easy looks. And he passed the ball pretty well.”
LaVine wasn’t about to blame his struggles on the ever- changing lineups.
“It’s not easy, but that’s what it is,” LaVine said. “That’s the position we’re in right now, so we’ve got to deal with it.”
Hoiberg was left to accentuate the positives of another loss. The Bulls had 26 assists and only nine turnovers. And Vonleh got some valuable experience.
“I thought he did some really good things out there,” Hoiberg said. “I still like that pairing with Noah and Bobby when they’re together. He’s a 22- year- old kid. We still think there’s a lot of upside.”