Chicago Bulls point guard Josh Giddey applauded rookie Matas Buzelis for stepping up late during last night’s 118-113 home win vs. the Portland Trail Blazers (12 points/12 rebounds/1 assist/3 blocks/5-10 FG/2-4 3-PT/+8 +/-).
*averaging 12.6 PPG/4.9 RPG/1.8 APG/0.5 SPG/1.1 BPG/45.0% FG/33.3% 3-PT/87.5% FT in 27.1 MPG over the last 22 games*
(via Optimistic Bulls Fan):
K.C. Johnson: “One of your assists was to Matas Buzelis for that huge three-pointer, that’s his first NBA double-double. What does a confident Matas Buzelis mean to you guys?”
Giddey: “You got to see it. He just airballed a three a minute earlier. He steps out and knocks it down, big three to put us up 5 with a minute and a bit to go. So when he’s playing confident, he’s a very, very talented kid. Obviously as a rookie, that can rattle a rookie. An airball three can make you nervous, and you can either fold under pressure or you can stand up. And he stood up big time, made a huge shot for us. He’s been great. I think since the All-Star break, his confidence has rocketed and us as a team has gotten a lot better from it. So, a confident Matas is a very good Bulls team.”
