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Chicago Bulls: Bobby Portis shines in season debut

By James D. Tillman III

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 13: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on October 13, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 13: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on October 13, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis shined in his season debut against the Toronto Raptors.

The Chicago Bulls‘ 2017-18 campaign took an interesting turn before the team even played its first game. Forwards Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic engaged in a heated exchange that resulted in Portis serving a team-issued eight-game suspension for throwing a punch that broke multiple bones in Mirotic’s face.

On the other side of the equation, Mirotic — who has cleared the league’s concussion protocol — is still at least several weeks away before he can return to the court.

Talking about the season starting off on the wrong foot.

Bearing this in mind, it was obvious that Portis’ return to the rotation on Tuesday night was the biggest story of the evening, as the Bulls traveled to Canada to take on the Toronto Raptors for the second time this season. Would Portis play with the same energy and aggressiveness that he displays during practices, or would he dial it back a bit?

There was also some doubt as to whether or not Portis would even get any playing time in his first game back in the fold. However, not only did he get a decent amount of run (24 minutes), but Portis also made the most of the opportunity, to say the least.

In those 24 minutes of action, Portis played one of the best games of his career. He paced the Bulls’ attack with 21 points on an efficient 8-for-13 shooting from the field. He led both teams in rebounds, hauling in 13, including four on the offensive end.

On top of that, Portis handed out four assists, converted three of his five attempts from distance and his +10 rating was the best of any player in a Bulls uniform. Scoring 14 of the team’s 33 points in the final frame, Portis’ effort nearly helped the Bulls overcome what was once a 23-point deficit.

In the end, though, the Raptors held on for a 119-114 victory, helping them remain perfect against the Bulls this season. Although it was under precarious circumstances and the Bulls came up short, Portis did manage to have a positive impact on the game.

"“Bobby gave us a great lift out there tonight,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg told the Chicago Sun-Times. “He played with great emotion and gave us energy when we needed it.’’"

The most intriguing part of Portis’ night wasn’t what he did on the court, but what he said prior to the game when asked if he has recently attempted to reach out to Mirotic.

"“Nah, I just let bygones be bygones,” Portis told the Chicago Tribune. “I don’t have control over that. The only thing I can control is myself at this point. I’m not worried about who goes, who stays. The only thing I’m worried about is coming in here and trying to play at the highest level possible. I’m living my dream right now. This is my dream and I’ve always wanted to play in the NBA. I’m here and that’s all I want to do.”"

Next: 2017-18 Week 4 NBA Power Rankings

How the team continues to monitor the situation remains to be seen, but like it or not, Portis is back in the rotation and as long as he is able play with this kind of effort on a consistent basis, he has a good chance of being the player the Bulls hold on to, should Mirotic choose to stand by his trade request.

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