Zach LaVine’s future to dominate Bulls’ second half

Zach LaVine’s future to dominate Bulls’ second half originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich

SAN ANTONIO — The Chicago Bulls hit their midway point of the NBA’s 82-game schedule with Saturday’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Following a dreadful 5-14 start, they are 19-22 and on pace for 38 victories. While that total may keep the Bulls in the play-in picture, the preseason goal centered on making the playoffs.

The Bulls currently sit five games out of the guaranteed playoff spot picture, currently shared by the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, whom they face on Monday.

“It’s unfortunate we dug ourselves a hole those first 15-20 games,” coach Billy Donovan said. “I think we’re getting better. We’re playing stylistically how I’d like to see us play and how I think the game should be played. We’re sharing the ball. We’re trying to generate good shots. We’re scoring more points.

“There are times certainly we can rely on DeMar (DeRozan), Vooch (Nikola Vučević) and Zach (LaVine) late game, but I like what we’re doing offensively.”

The Bulls’ offense has ranked 18^th over the previous 22 games in which they fashioned their 14-8 revival with a 115.6 rating. That’s compared to a 112.5 overall offensive rating, which ranks 22^nd.

Defensively, the jump is even more pronounced. They are 15^th overall with a rating of 114.7. But over their previous 22 games, they rank seventh with a defensive rating of 113.7.

“Hopefully now we understand what it takes to win games or give ourselves a chance,” Vučević said.

Added Alex Caruso: “When we play the way we should, we’re a really good team.”

The Bulls’ preseason goals centered on maintaining their top-five defense from last season and improving their 24^th-ranked offense with more 3-point shooting and offensive rebounding, quicker decision-making and getting downhill into the lane for either rim shots, free-throw attempts or…