Zach LaVine had a chance to give the Chicago Bulls the lead in the dying seconds of their home game against the San Antonio Spurs. With the ball in their best player’s hands, head coach Fred Hoiberg called for a pick-and-roll with Wendell Carter Jr.
However, LaVine waved off the rookie big man and ended up firing a long 3 at the top of the key that clanked off the front of the rim. The Bulls lost 108-107 after Ryan Arcidiacono's last-second steal and jumper fell just short.
After the game, Hoiberg reacted to LaVine’s decision to wave off his play:
“Ball was in our best players hand, who had it going, especially early in the quarter. That's the one thing I would have liked was the attack. I have confidence in Zach, that’s why I didn’t call the timeout. Tough ending.” Hoiberg said, per NBC Sports Chicago's Kelly Crull on Twitter.
Hoiberg wanted his high-flying guard to attack and get a better shot at the cup since they were only down by one, but LaVine settled for a contested 3 instead. It proved to be a costly decision from the Bulls’ leading scorer.
Looking back, Hoiberg may have been right to call the pick-and-roll on that play since the Bulls did not need a 3 to win the game. But then again, this is a make-or-miss league. Had he made that, we’d probably laud him for that shot.
Nonetheless, the former UCLA Bruin was the right man to take that shot. As usual, LaVine led the Bulls throughout the game with 28 points, eight boards, and seven assists, but struggled shooting, making just 10-of-26 from the field.
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