The Lakers drubbed the Bulls 101-90 (it wasn’t that close) Saturday night at the United Center in what can best be described as a clinic. Three-game win streak, consider yourself snapped. Reality, consider yourself checked.
Here’s what stood out:
Anthony Davis — and Wendell Carter Jr.’s — impacts were felt
The Bulls dodged Anthony Davis in these two’s Jan. 8 matchup in Los Angeles. They weren’t so fortunate on Saturday.
To say his impact was felt would be an understatement. Five minutes into the first quarter, Davis had 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Three minutes later (at the 4:01 mark), he was out-scoring the Bulls 13-12. At the end of one, he had 15 on 7-for-8 shooting, the Lakers had 20 points in the paint and the Bulls trailed 29-17.
An answer for him — and the Lakers’ general dominance on the interior — failed to emerge. Billy Donovan tried Cristiano Felício for his first non-garbage time run of the season to little avail. Midway through the second quarter, Daniel Gafford had 4 fouls in five minutes of action.
At the half… Well. This was the state of affairs:
HT: Lakers 63, Bulls 33
Bulls shooting 33.3% from field, 0/10 from 3. 6 assists through 2 quarters one night after notching 33
Anthony Davis has 26-5-3-1 on 10/12. LeBron 13-8-5-2. Lakers with 32 points in the paint.
All of which to say: Defending champs look the part…
