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Sam Smith

Threes were wild Wednesday in the Bulls comfortable 111-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

It was the Bulls season-best third consecutive win to climb to 8-14 and into 10th in the Eastern Conference ahead of the stingless Hornets. It was the Bulls who again shot the three better, making a dozen with 48% accuracy to a dreadful 10-of-37 for Charlotte. Michael Jordan sure knows when to sell. And the Bulls announced that All-Star guard Zach LaVine will miss at least the next three weeks.

This is the statement the Bulls released after the game:

“Following an initial period of active rest, it has been determined that Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine will require an additional estimated 3-4 weeks to treat his current right foot inflammation. Updates will be provided as appropriate.”

LaVine was scheduled to speak with reporters Thursday before the team departs for Friday’s game in San Antonio. He was not scheduled to travel with the team, though he has been on the bench in recent games since sitting out with his injury.

But otherwise it was a full house for the Bulls Wednesday in pretty much cashing out quickly with a 16-point second quarter lead the Hornets eventually reduced and drew to within 48-44 at halftime.

“The second quarter was unfortunate,” said Bulls coach Billy Donovan. “We got stagnant, we turned the ball over several possessions in a row, six turnovers in the quarter. We just kind of got out of rhythm and flow and not playing very well.The turnovers were too high, and some of those plays in the second broke our momentum a little.”

But not to worry as this Hornets team without injured ace LaMelo Ball is mostly bluffing while holding very little. They mostly search out threes, they had to play small with center Mark Williams injured and the Bulls pounded the boards to a 57-42 domination, prized rookie Brandon Miller, the No. 2 pick in the draft, looked lost in 39 minutes with lazy passes and off balance shots. Gordon Hayward was impressive with 27 points, and Terry Rozier had a late flurry to get to 25, though 1-of-11 on threes.

But right after halftime, the Bulls regained control of the game with a 19-4 run that quickly had them ahead by 19 points and maintaining a margin close to that the rest of the game.&nbsp;

“We got a little stagnant at the end of the second quarter, so our thing was to come out aggressive and play with a faster pace and do what worked for us in the first half, which was moving the ball and going side to side, everyone involved,” said Nikola Vučević, who got that run going with two short scores, a putback dunk and a slick pass to Caruso for a layup score. “I thought we came back to that and defensively as well.

“For me, especially, when we get downhill and try to create, the ball is going to come back to me and I can (pass) to the second side for different things,” said Vučević, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds. “For us, it’s a really good way to play and I enjoy playing that way. It opens things up for everybody. When the ball is moving everyone gets the ball, gets in rhythm better, the shots are easier and the best way to get the defense to break down.”

It was the rare dominating game for the Bulls in which they were the team able to turn it back on every time the other guys threatened a run. Though it wasn’t with the pace and alacrity of recent games since LaVine went out. There’s been much discussion in this three-game winning streak about a fancy shuffle style of play. It wasn’t that evident Wednesday since without LaVine that’s still leaving a lot of points on the table. DeRozan had to revert to his free throw game to help carry the team. DeRozan led the Bulls with 29 points, 12-of-14 from the free throw line in attempting more free throws than the entire Charlotte team.

To get an idea about Charlotte's offense, from early in the second quarter into the fourth they went more than 20 game minutes while attempting one free throw, and that was on a DeRozan take foul as opposed to attacking the basket.

“We knew they were going to make a push,” said DeRozan. “We got a little sloppy. (Then) buckled down and played the way we did in the first half. Zach’s got to take care of himself. Not sure how long that will be, so we’ve got to be prepared for when guys get heathy. We’ve just got to keep building. Shots are going in (now). We are getting a better feel for getting stops, getting out in transition, getting easier buckets, getting downhill and creating more shot opportunities for guys. It’s been working for us. But we’ve still got to clean up a lot defensively and rebounding. We can get better offensively with execution. We still haven’t scratched the surface of what we can be on both ends.”

It was as routine as games have been this season for the Bulls after that late second 15-3 Hornets run to make it appear there was a chance; there really wasn’t. The Bulls got their lead to 21 early in the fourth quarter, Alex Caruso drew another charge and the Hornets pretty much folded despite a late bluff or two.

Coby White didn’t shoot as well, and without LaVine and White with his recent offensive performances White is going to get more defensive attention. But he still had 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists Wednesday without a turnover among the Bulls 16.

But, uh oh, White was seen heading for an X-ray after the game and then wearing a wrap on his right wrist as he met media.

Nah, no worries. White said just a little tweak when he fell early in the game. DIdn’t tell anyone and it didn’t bother him that much; just wanted to check.

“I feel nothing has really changed (during these recent wins),” said White. “We’ve tried to build our identity throughout the year. Right now, we’re playing a lot faster and making quicker decisions. The beginning of the year a lot of those shots we are making now we weren’t making. We were getting those same open looks; we just weren’t hitting them. It’s a make or miss league. If you hit shots you probably are going to win, if you don’t you’re probably not.

“Obviously, with Zach out, being the caliber of player he is, it allows for more opportunity (for more players),” said White. “But you can’t replace Zach LaVine. We try to do it collectively and try to make up for what he does on the floor.”

For now, that’s the deal. The Bulls hope they can continue to be flush with this recent success.

Got a question for Sam?Submit your question to Sam at&nbsp;asksam@bulls.com

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

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