Key #3 – Cool off Lauri Markkanen
Much like the Utah Jazz, the player that has been the most exciting to watch for the Bulls has been a rookie. However, although Donovan Mitchell has been absolutely phenomenal for the Jazz, he isn’t the team’s leading scorer (at least not yet) like the Bulls’ rookie is. For Chicago, that title goes to NBA newcomer Lauri Markkanen.
Markkanen has been somewhat of a surprise and undoubtedly an enormous bright spot in an otherwise disappointing Chicago Bulls season. He paces the team with 15.6 points per game and is shooting relatively well from both the field (44.7 percent) and from deep (36.7 percent) for the Bulls, especially for a rookie.
36 threes by @MarkkanenLauri is the most by any player after 14 career @NBA games…here’s every one of them: pic.twitter.com/R8l1jEpSh7
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 21, 2017
What’s also somewhat surprising is that he is firing up seven three-point attempts per game which is 1.2 more threes per game than rookie Donovan Mitchell who many Jazz fans have considered quite the chucker himself. Therefore, the Jazz will have to be wary about Markkanen’s quick trigger from beyond the arc. Although his shot from deep isn’t completely deadly, it’s enough of a threat that if he gets going, especially at his high volume, he could easily punish the Jazz.
It’s been a while since he’s had an overwhelmingly dominant outing from three, so he could be considered overdue. That’s all the more reason for the Jazz to keep a hand in his face at all times and ensure that the exhilarating young rookie doesn’t have one his sharp-shooting nights.