DeRozan, LaVine, Vučević erupt in win over Hawks

10 observations: Bulls’ Big 3 erupts in win over Hawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

The Chicago Bulls are on a roll.

With Monday’s 130-118 win over the severely shorthanded Atlanta Hawks, the Bulls extended the team’s current win streak to four games and its season-long record to 21-10 – the franchise’s first time 11 games above .500 since April 2015.

Here are 10 observations:

1. The Bulls’ perimeter defense survived its first test without both Lonzo Ball (COVID-19 protocols) and Alex Caruso (foot sprain) against the Pacers. But Trae Young, who was cleared from protocols hours before tipoff, proved a greater challenge.

Coby White opened the game on Young and didn’t have much for him. The Hawks star slithered his way to 10 points and four assists in his first nine minutes, drawing two fouls – one of which led to a three-point play – on White in the process. He finished the opening frame with 12 points and five assists.

2. With a second-quarter explosion of 17 points that featured backbreaking jumpers and acrobatic finishes reminiscent of last season’s 50-point outburst at State Farm Center (which included a 25-point second quarter), Zach LaVine led the charge for the Bulls in the first half.

At the break, LaVine had tallied 23 points, five assists, three rebounds and a steal, shooting 8-for-15 and 4-for-5 on 3s. The highlights, which he capped with a fadeaway jumper at the second-quarter buzzer to extend the Bulls’ lead to 69-63, were plentiful.

LaVine finished the night with his 10th 30-point game of the season, slinging nine assists against just two turnovers, and shooting 11-for-21 (5-for-8 from 3).

Between his first All-Star game last March, first career 50-burger last April, and Monday’s exploits, you think he likes playing in Atlanta?

3. Along with LaVine’s scoring, Ayo Dosunmu’s defense helped turn the tide in the second quarter after Atlanta built as much as a nine-point first-half lead. Dosunmu seized primary defensive…