Bulls finish preseason with comeback victory, and now it’s all systems go

The starting unit had a bad night defensively before being bailed out by the bench, but the games only count starting Wednesday.

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Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen made an appearance Friday.

While coach Billy Donovan wasn’t thrilled with the defensive effort of most of his starters, Markkanen’s shooting at least earned a big-time thumbs-up.

And that wasn’t the only positive in the Bulls’ 105-103 comeback victory against the Thunder in Oklahoma City. The Bulls finished the preseason 3-1 in preparation for what promises to be a unique odyssey the league is embarking on.

A shortened schedule, multiple back-to-back games in the same city and players in and out of the coronavirus protocol, all while a new-look Bulls front office will try to figure out which pieces on the roster are worth investing in and which ones are expendable.

Markkanen made his statement in the victory, scoring 22 points on 9-for-17 shooting, including 4-for-10 from three-point range.

His hope is it was a sign of things to come. Afterward, he continued going out of his way to praise the way he’s being used under Donovan compared to last season under former coach Jim Boylen.

‘‘Like I said, I think the system fits me really well,’’ Markkanen said. ‘‘I feel like it’s night and day from last year, being in down screens and being on the move the whole time. I’m really liking the offense so far.

‘‘Of course, I had some plays last year, but I do feel like I was a little more spacing the floor last year more than now. I’m on the move more, all the cutting and coming off pick-and-roll, like we talked about. Of course, there’s times I’m spacing the floor, too, but I’m liking it so far.’’

The Bulls and Markkanen have until Monday to work out a contract extension, If they can’t, Markkanen will have to let the market set a price on him next summer, when he can become a restricted free agent.

Uncertainty on it getting done? No doubt.

Where there’s no uncertainty with the Bulls, however, is in the backcourt. Second-year guard Coby White had a shaky 1-for-10 shooting night, but he and Zach LaVine showed throughout the exhibition season that they are a backcourt that has to be game-planned for.

Where they rank in the NBA or the Eastern Conference as a duo is up for debate.

‘‘I think we can be really good,’’ LaVine said of the twosome. ‘‘Offensively, I think we’re very potent. We just have to work on the main thing — winning games — and then you get the recognition from that.

‘‘If you don’t win, then you’re always going to get thrown to the back and not noticed. As long as we contribute to winning, I think we’re going to be fine.’’

LaVine scored another 20 points and finished the four-game dress rehearsal as the Bulls’ leading scorer.

White had his moments during the preseason, such as his 27-point showing Wednesday, but he also had some moments where he reminded everyone he’s still finding his way as a point guard.

His biggest supporter, however, remains LaVine. That hasn’t escaped his notice.

‘‘It means a lot,’’ White said. ‘‘Zach’s like a big brother to me. Ever since I got here, he’s kind of taken me under his wing and got at me. So anytime I have questions, he’s kind of instilled that confidence in me.

‘‘Last year was a long journey for me through the ups and downs. Like I said, he was always in my corner. He never left my side. So it means a lot to me. And this year, we’re finally getting a chance to play together.’’

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