Chicago Bulls
Caleb Wilson Dropped 5 Threes and Put a Defender on the Floor. The Bulls' Shooting Panic Is Over.
Wednesday night, the group chats were in shambles. Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis went a combined 0-for-10 from three in the preseason opener and everybody decided the Bulls can't shoot. One game. One preseason game. And the obituaries were already written.
Friday night at the United Center, the No. 4 pick answered. Caleb Wilson hung 21 on the Grizzlies, went 5-for-11 from deep, and broke Olivier-Maxence Prosper's ankles with a pump fake before drilling a clutch three with 55 seconds left to cut it to one possession. The building lost its mind.
The best part is how it happened. Wilson had ONE point at halftime. One. Then he dropped 20 in the second half, including three triples in the third quarter alone. That is not a hot streak. That is a kid who does not blink.
Honesty first: he missed the hero shot. A 26-foot stepback at the buzzer over Jahmai Mashack fell short, and Javon Small's free throws sealed the 104-100 Grizzlies win. But head coach Tiago Splitter kept the rookie in with the game on the line, surrounded by reserves, and that tells you everything about where this is going. "Get experience, getting minutes, getting touches," Splitter said. "I think it's important for him."
Here is the bigger picture. The stroke everybody questioned is starting to look real. Shaky from deep at UNC. Then a record 35 in his Summer League debut. Now 5-for-11 with the game on the line. TipOff's David Lee said if the Summer League shooting translates, Wilson could end up the best player in this draft class. Two preseason games, team-high scoring in both, 36 points total. It is translating.
And do not forget the matchup. Fellow lottery pick Cam Boozer went for 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 12 minutes for Memphis. Good player. Wilson won the night.
The Bulls close out preseason with the Nuggets, Bucks and Timberwolves, then open for real October 21 in Toronto. Wilson is starting. The shooting panic? Dead. Somebody tell the group chats.
Key Facts
- Final: Grizzlies 104, Bulls 100. Preseason, United Center, Oct 9.
- Caleb Wilson: 21 PTS (7-17 FG, 5-11 3PT, 2-6 FT), 4 REB, 1 STL in 31:37.
- The flip: 1 point in the first half, 20 in the second half.
- The moment: pump fake dropped Olivier-Maxence Prosper, then a clutch three with 55 seconds left to make it 102-100.
- Both preseason games: team-high scoring, 36 points total.
- Boozer: 10 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST in 12 MIN.
- Next: at Nuggets Sunday. Regular season opens Oct 21 at Toronto.
VIA Bleacher Report (Julia Stumbaugh), RotoWire, Sports Illustrated, Fadeaway World, Yardbarker, Commercial Appeal and Bleacher Nation. Splitter quotes via NBA.com (Sam Smith).