Billy Donovan provides insight into his decision to retain Alex Caruso in the starting lineup amid changes to the Chicago Bulls’ rotation. With Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic rejoining the starting five, Donovan opted to keep defensive standout Alex Caruso in the lineup, relegating young forward Patrick Williams to the bench ahead of the game against the Houston Rockets.
Donovan emphasized Caruso’s seamless fit with the starters, citing his ability to serve as an outlet for playmakers like Coby White, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan when facing defensive pressure on drives to the basket. Caruso’s proficiency in matching up against the opposing team’s premier perimeter player, a role he excelled in with the Los Angeles Lakers, was also highlighted by Donovan.
“Alex has been really, really good with that group,” Donovan remarked. He outlined the strategy of playing Caruso for a brief stretch, bringing in Patrick Williams, and then reintroducing Caruso to close the quarter.
Patrick Williams’ transition back to the bench did not yield favorable results, as he concluded the game with five points on 2-of-6 shooting and three steals. Williams had stepped into a starting role amid injuries to several Bulls players last month, showcasing his skills with averages of 13.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in 31.1 minutes of playing time.
Additionally, the game against the Houston Rockets saw altered roles for Dalen Terry and Jevon Carter. Terry, the young guard who had averaged 13 minutes per game in the previous 16 games, logged only six minutes, while Jevon Carter did not play despite being healthy.
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