CHICAGO — So few across the metropolis of Chicago watched what transpired on the United Heart on Saturday. Even those that lingered an hour or so after the Bulls’ 125-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks howled for the opposite recreation. The one their satisfaction was tethered to.
They posted close to TVs, both by a hearth or inside an area bar, their spirits at Soldier Discipline, invested within the Bears’ NFC wild-card comeback in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Mavericks govt Michael Finley, a Maywood, In poor health., native, nervously hovered over a plate of meals, his blood stress seemingly spiking extra from incompletions than the gentle sauce.
Chicago savored playoff soccer on Saturday. The Bulls internet hosting the Mavericks in January felt destined to be a distant second.
For many who didn’t watch the NBA recreation, promise grew. Matas Buzelis added a worthwhile web page to a turbulent sophomore season. He completed with 15 factors and 6 rebounds and outplayed rookie sensation Cooper Flagg (11 factors, one rebound) and continued an encouraging two-week stretch. Even with the hanging distinction of their runways inside their respective groups, Buzelis handed this litmus take a look at.
The Bulls trounced the injury-laden Mavericks. Two-way rookies Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse began for Dallas. Referee Scott Foster ejected coach Jason Kidd within the first quarter for his obvious potty mouth. And Anthony Davis fended off pointed feedback about his match, clad in Packers gear like a Champs model.
Chicago wiped the ground with what remained of the Mavs (No. 1 within the NBA in tempo), scoring 38 fast-break factors to Dallas’ eight, the essence of this Bulls squad if it have been extra constant. Seven Bulls scored in double figures.
There’s a predictable guidelines of the issues that must occur for the Bulls to face an opportunity in video games after they inch nearer to full energy. Whether or not that fashion holds is determined by the whims of the season: who’s out and in of the lineup, whether or not this large or that wing is taking part in. It’s a revolving door of accidents, inconsistency and irrationally necessary position gamers that make these Bulls perpetually troublesome to guage in totality.
Buzelis’ formidable shot quantity, although, stands proud. It’s a current upward development that feels actual. Between Josh Giddey’s hamstring pressure from Chicago’s loss to Minnesota on Dec. 29 and Coby White’s minute restriction since his return from a nagging calf difficulty, Buzelis walked into extra utilization.
A heavier, crucial dosage of being the person. The look fits him.
By his first 32 video games this season, he averaged 10.4 makes an attempt. With the Bulls’ current accidents, Buzelis is averaging 15 makes an attempt over his final six video games. He’s taking pictures 47.8 % from the sector in that span. He completed Saturday a plus-19.
He’s dealing with downhill and driving with palpable comfortability. Forcing the difficulty in transition. Flushing lobs. Posterizing dudes. True profession highlight-reel SLAM journal posters.
MATAS. BUZELIS. 🤯
What a HUGE one-handed throwdown!
ORL/CHI is tied at 59 on the break… faucet to look at the 2H: https://t.co/KJXQbFKdBI pic.twitter.com/kfcEPtxTk0
— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2026
Buzelis mentioned he needs to be aggressive. He’s “letting the sport come to him” and “making an attempt to not drive something.” However whether or not Buzelis is taking part in with ease or as an alternative hanging onto blemishes beforehand dwelled behind his thoughts, coach Billy Donovan doesn’t let errors fester.
For Buzelis’ shortcomings, Donovan demonstrates a brief leash. Particularly earlier this season, when Buzelis’ fast or late substitutions felt like an extension of his rookie season.
“I might sit right here and say that letting a man play via each single mistake isn’t one of the best ways that’s gonna result in his improvement, for my part,” Donovan mentioned in late December. “It’s much more that goes into it than simply throwing a man on the market for taking part in time.
“Matas is an ideal instance of that. He had a tough time final yr getting on the ground, and he obtained higher on the issues that I believed would impression profitable. He’s made some vital strides, however he made vital strides by going via numerous issue early of not taking part in a complete lot. Incomes the proper to go on the market and play after which having a greater understanding of what goes into profitable as an alternative of simply saying, ‘Matas, right here you go, right here’s 35 minutes; simply play!’ Typically, these guys want course.”
Buzelis’ thoughts might very nicely drift to that positive line between his blossoming and his benching. He appears throughout at a 19-year-old Flagg, understandably handed the keys by the Mavericks on Day 1. Dallas requested him to play level guard early. Months into his profession, Flagg is shouldering offense, pinning pictures and shutting video games.
Each are in fetal levels of their respective improvement, however they’re hardly mirror pictures as gamers — and definitely not in alternative.
Flagg owns a neon inexperienced gentle to proceed to fail.
“Oh, he’s gotta fail to achieve success,” Kidd mentioned pregame. “To be a fantastic, you must fail. We’ll dwell with him failing or making a mistake, as a result of he’s one that may perceive that he can’t try this once more.”
Buzelis’ errors danger ejection. A beckoning to the bench, even when he’s one among Chicago’s few prized property.
In fact, Buzelis stays an imperfect defender. Youthful in his tendencies, explosive in his flashes. Saturday’s recreation was 19 seconds previous when Buzelis thumped Naji Marshall’s flimsy transition layup try. In a while, he foolishly soared previous a 3-point shooter whereas closing out on a pump faux.
A lot of what’s binding him is who he can defend. He’s not fast sufficient to chase the Tyrese Maxeys, not burly sufficient to constantly bang with the Evan Mobleys. Halfway via Saturday’s second quarter, Flagg threw his shoulder into Buzelis for an and-1 within the put up. Buzelis, nevertheless, is bouncy sufficient to fling pictures close to the rim as a lingering secondary rim protector. Chicago’s defensive personnel definitely hasn’t aided Buzelis’ defensive id.
The tantalizing prospects develop with every recreation. He’s undecided positionally. His current play suggests he could possibly be nearer to small ahead, even when this roster received’t all the time enable that. Buzelis, a 21-year-old bundle of size and ambition, is commanding extra utilization. Give me extra, his current on-ball possessions scream.
He refuses to let “stoop” dwell on because the descriptor for his sophomore NBA season. He’s captivated Bulls followers these previous couple of weeks along with his drives and finishes. Along with his seizing of this second, and with this sudden workload.
“I’m simply going on the market and hooping,” Buzelis mentioned. “I’m making an attempt to get my thoughts off issues, play free, be current. It’s been good not too long ago. I’m probably not pondering of something.”
There’s a clean canvas there. One value watching him attempt to paint.
