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Trials continue for rookie Wendell Carter Jr., from Nikola Jokic in the final pre-season game for Joel Embiid in the first half of the season against Andre Drummond on the first day at home.
"It's his third star in a row," coach Fred Hoiberg said.
The tests also continue to come for a young Bulls team that does not use any stars and lost to Pistons 118-116 as Carter's education continued.
Ish Smith, who scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, tore the Bulls' defense for a start double with 5.4 seconds to go. Zach LaVine, who had tied with a huge 3-pointer at 24 seconds from the end, lost control of the ball as he stood up to try to score three points.
With 33 points, LaVine joins Bob Love and Michael Jordan as the only Bulls in franchise history to release two consecutive games at 30 points for the opening of the season.
Blake Griffin, with 33 points and 12 rebounds, led the Pistons.
In Carter's case, there is a thin line between gaining experience and feeling overwhelmed. And when Carter beat Robin Lopez in pre-season to earn the starting center spot, the Bulls started to follow.
Carter finished with eight points and two rebounds in 18 minutes of foul play, picking up his third goal before the second quarter hit the middle. There will be such nights for general choice # 7, which will not be 20 years old until April. "It's important to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of the greatest players in our game so that I can get a glimpse of what I need to work," Carter said. "My team mates have encouraged me.
"I'm just trying to remove the name of (the opponent). Just watch them as a player. Look at what they are doing well and not so well and try to expose their weaknesses. I try not to focus too much on "Oh, it's André Drummond" and get carried away by the hype. Just go down to the X's and the O's.
Similar to his performance in Thursday's inaugural game, in which Embiid had mastered Carter early before Carter pulled himself together, he was not discouraged by Saturday's foul. He blocked a shot that led to a LaVine transition opportunity. With a physical post in place, he committed a foul on Zaza Pachulia for an equally infamous Drummond.
"You can not be frustrated. You have to keep fighting and doing your job, which he will do, "said Hoiberg. "He plays beyond his years. He has a great future in this league. "
The same goes for LaVine, who constantly and effortlessly attacked the rim. He was 7 of 9 on the line and went on to prove the incoherent nature in his last season, in which he was coming back from the ACL's Left Rehabilitation, is behind him.
"Yes my guy, one year after ACL, I feel like I'm back on my own: athletic, fast, fast, legs under me … I just needed everyone to give me some time" said LaVine. "I had about 70% last year, I think I did a good job, but it feels good to be back in my skin."
But as good as LaVine is, Bobby Portis struggled. After scoring 20 points in the opening match, Portis missed his first six shots and failed to break through the column of markers before he left 8 minutes and 8 seconds left. He finished with six points and, to his credit, did not let his offensive troubles affect his efforts. He also had 14 rebounds and five assists.
Like all Bulls, Portis struggled to contain Griffin.
The Bulls got production from the leader position after Cameron Payne failed to score the first game when he replaced Kris Dunn, who was on paternity leave Saturday. Payne scored eight points in the first three minutes of the third quarter, while Ryan Arcidacono had seven assists in 20 minutes of reserve.
The Bulls only scored 60-58 at halftime, though Portis failed in the first half. The Pistons shot 22 of their 23 free throws and outscored the Bulls 27-6 on the 3-point line.
Twitter @kcjhoop
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