In a game in Atlanta that didn’t feature much defense on either side, newly minted All-Star Zach LaVine put up a career-high 50 points, including 39 in the first half, a record among all NBA players this season.
A big part of LaVine’s huge first half came as the Bulls guard let it fly from deep, with all seven of his triples coming in the first half. The Atlanta wing duo of Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter stood no chance defending LaVine, the seventh leading scorer in the NBA this season.
ZACH LAVINE WON’T STOP
pic.twitter.com/gJ7twvW4JY
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 10, 2021
That led LaVine to get red hot, at one point putting up 25 straight points for Chicago and setting an NBA season record in the process.
Zach LaVine dropped 39 in the first half, including 25 straight points (
) for the @chicagobulls in the second quarter.pic.twitter.com/igi9qsxuPT
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 10, 2021
That was SPECIAL.
Zach LaVine’s 39 points in the first-half are the most by ANY player in the first-half this season. pic.twitter.com/F0bbZ0srrn
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 10, 2021
However, the big scoring night wasn’t enough to take down the Hawks in Atlanta, as Trae Young had himself his own big night with 42 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. While Chicago’s supporting cast wasn’t able to make plays when Atlanta’s defensive attention turned toward LaVine, the Hawks’ role players stepped up and Young made plays all over the court, with lobs to Clint Capela, quick-hitters to Danilo Gallinari, and of course Young’s own signature step-back threes.
Startin’ to cook
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— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 10, 2021
ON HIS HEAD. pic.twitter.com/to4xsQO1LG
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 10, 2021
In the end, LaVine only put up 11 in the second half, which while enough to net him a career high, wasn’t enough to outduel Young and give Chicago the win. The Bulls’ three-game win streak came to an end while Atlanta continued its climb up the Eastern Conference standings.