Tonight, the Chicago Bulls are officially in do-or-die mode. Their Game 5 contest against the Milwaukee Bucks will extend or end their season. A surprisingly successful campaign that got them to the NBA playoffs, which was led by a pair of All-Stars in DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, could be over at the hands of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday.
With the Bulls' season on the line, LaVine won't be able to do anything about it. The team announced that he will be out after heading into health and safety protocols on Tuesday.
Zach LaVine (health & safety protocols) and Alex Caruso (concussion protocols) are both listed as OUT for Game 5 tonight in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/RRgAjYCu8R
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 27, 2022
LaVine ending his first go-around in the NBA playoffs on the bench is very disappointing. His development has been a huge reason for the Bulls becoming a playoff team again. He averaged 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season and established tremendous chemistry with DeRozan.
Game 5, which is in Milwaukee, will rest on DeRozan's shoulders and could easily be a Bucks blowout win. Antetokounmpo, Holiday and even Grayson Allen have shined in this series. LaVine is averaging 19.3 points per game and a team-leading 6.0 assists per game in the NBA playoffs so far. Replicating this production will be very tough for Chicago.
Even if the season ends tonight in an ugly fashion, the Bulls had a promising season. They showed they have what it takes to be a playoff team and have a bright future headlined by Zach LaVine.
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