Is Matas Buzelis’ third-year leap already in question after ONE game? Not so fast — but Chicago absolutely needs to see more.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what Matas’ opening-night performance actually tells us, why Tiago Splitter is considering two-big combinations, and the five biggest things Chicago must prepare for against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Matas finished against Toronto with 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes, but shot just 2-for-8 from the field and 0-for-4 from three. The fascinating part? He still got to the free-throw line 16 times, making 13.
So is his third-year leap already in trouble?
No.
But the standard has changed.
Chicago needs Matas to become more dependable when the first action breaks down, attack closeouts without losing control, recognize help earlier, stay active defensively when his jumper isn’t falling and produce against teams prepared to take away his favorite opportunities.
Then there’s Tiago Splitter’s latest wrinkle.
Splitter has discussed testing two-big combinations, and with Zach Collins back, Chicago can now evaluate pairings like Jalen Smith + Collins. Collins returned against Toronto with five rebounds in nine minutes while reportedly operating under a 12-to-16-minute restriction.
The key question isn’t simply:
“Does more size sound good?”
It’s whether the lineup actually improves specific possessions.
Can two bigs:
- Finish defensive rebounds?
- Give Chicago another interior defender?
- Create better screens?
- Generate elbow passing opportunities?
- Survive defensively when opponents drag a big away from the rim?
Haize also lays out a potential experimental lineup:
Tre Jones
Norman Powell
Matas Buzelis
Jalen Smith
Zach Collins
with Smith spacing the floor while Collins facilitates from the elbow.
And then comes Milwaukee.
The Bucks present a completely different tactical challenge.
🔥 Tyler Herro opened with 24 points and nine assists
💪 Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 22 points and seven rebounds
🎯 Myles Turner can pull Chicago’s centers away from the rim
✈️ Kel’el Ware gives Milwaukee a different rolling threat
🚨 Milwaukee will almost certainly test Chicago’s ball security after the Bulls’ disastrous opener
Chicago also has something to attack.
Washington scored 70 points in the paint and attempted 41 free throws against Milwaukee, giving the Bulls a potential blueprint to investigate — not a guarantee they can duplicate it.
💬 BULLS NATION: What concerns you most heading into Milwaukee — Herro’s creation, Jaquez attacking mismatches or Chicago handling Turner and Ware?
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