Bulls Rout Hornets

Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan each had 23 points on the night and the Chicago Bulls routed the injury-ravaged Charlotte Hornets 121-91 on Friday night to take a huge leap toward securing a spot in the NBA’s play-in tournament.

Nikola Vucevic put up 21 points and eight rebounds of his own for the Bulls, who entered the game losers of three of their last five and barely hanging on to the final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. However, Chicago’s win combined with the Orlando Magic’s 116-109 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night, leaves the Bulls three games head of the Wizards for the 10th spot in the East with five games remaining.

DeRozan said it is vital the Bulls use this closing stretch to elevate their play if they want to make a playoff run.

“We’ve got to, just for that confidence, that feel, that rhythm and understanding how we need to play,” DeRozan said. “We needed to take these last five games and make sure we are playing great basketball.”

James Bouknight had 22 points behind six 3-pointers to lead the Hornets. They had their three-game winning streak snapped and lost yet another key player to injury.

Charlotte’s P.J. Washington, who scored a career-high 43 points Tuesday night in a 137-134 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, exited the game in the second quarter with a sprained foot and did not return.

“I thought he was off to a good start again,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. “It’s part of it. It’s part of the game.”

It is unclear if Washington will miss the remainder of the season, but there is no logical reason for the Hornets to rush him back, given they have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

It is the latest in a long line of injuries for the Hornets, who played without LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Kelly Oubre Jr., Cody Martin, and Dennis Smith Jr. Washington was the only opening day starter who suited up for the Hornets against the Bulls.

The Hornets were so shorthanded at one point, they had a lineup on the floor that included five players who have spent time with their G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.

Chicago jumped out to a 19-5 lead midway through the opening quarter, with six Hornets giveaways leading to 10 points. The Bulls, who led wire-to-wire, extended their advantage to 16 at the half behind a series of LaVine drives and DeRozan signature mid-range jumpers.

Chicago stretched their lead to 28 with about five minutes left when four passes led to an open 3 from LaVine. A short time later Billy Donovan called off the dogs.

The Bulls had 25 assists.

“When we are moving the ball and making good decisions and sharing it and collectively all covering and helping each other defensively it is when we are at our best,” Donovan said.

Andre Drummond returned to action after missing the last game due to personal reasons and had six points and 11 boards.

“For him to come back and be able to do what he did and try to block whatever it is he’s dealing with out and focus on basketball, maybe in some way it was a relief for him just to get on the floor,” Donovan said. “I think it speaks to his commitment to the team and to the guys that he wanted to be out there.”

Bulls: Scored 29 points off 22 Charlotte turnovers.

Hornets: Svi Mykhailiuk was the only Hornets starter to finish in double figures, scoring 16 points. Theo Maledon got the start at point guard and had nine points and nine assists.

The Bulls host Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

The Hornets host Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.