Vucevic dominates as Bulls pound Hornets 108-91

Nikola Vucevic scored 18 points and matched a season high with 16 rebounds, Coby White and Thaddeus Young scored 18 apiece, and the Chicago Bulls beat the struggling Charlotte Hornets 108-91 on Thursday night.

The Bulls built a 14-point halftime lead and put this one out of reach in the third quarter on the way to their third win in four games. They are 6-10 since a shakeup at the trade deadline that landed Vucevic from Orlando.

Held to a season-low nine points in a lopsided loss at Cleveland the previous night, the two-time All-Star center asserted himself in a big way. He shot 8 of 13 and had six assists.

Charlotte Hornets' Cody Zeller (40) grabs a rebound over Chicago Bulls' Lauri Markkanen during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Chicago. (AP PhotoCharles Rex Arbogast)

White hit four 3-pointers, and Young was 8 of 10 from the field.

Devonte’ Graham led Charlotte with 16 points. Miles Bridges scored 13 as the Hornets lost for the sixth time in seven games.

The Bulls got off to a better start this time after falling into a big hole early on Cavaliers and grabbed a 58-44 halftime lead.

Chicago Bulls' Nikola Vucevic, center, drives to the basket between Charlotte Hornets' Devonte' Graham (4) and Bismack Biyombo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Chicago. (AP PhotoCharles Rex Arbogast)

They scored the game's first 10 points, with Vucevic hitting a jumper and a 3, and the final six of the second quarter, a layup by the big man bumping the lead to 14.

It was 65-56 in the third when the Bulls went on a 13-0 run. A layup by Vucevic and two free throws by Daniel Theis made it 78-56 with 4:16 left in the quarter.

TIP-INS

Charlotte Hornets' Devonte' Graham, center, is fouled by Chicago Bulls' Thaddeus Young (21) as Bulls' Garrett Temple also defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Chicago. (AP PhotoCharles Rex Arbogast)

Hornets: After attempting just eight free throws in Tuesday's loss at New York, the Hornets made 13 of 17. ... G LaMelo Ball remains sidelined since fracturing his right wrist March 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers. The No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, he was among the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year honors before the injury. ... G Malik Monk (sprained right ankle) missed his 11th game in a row, while F Gordon Hayward (sprained right foot) missed his 10th straight.

Bulls: All-Star Zach LaVine missed his fifth game in a row because of the league’s health and safety protocols, and coach Billy Donovan had no timetable on his return. The NBA's sixth-leading scorer, he has not played since April 14. ... F Troy Brown Jr. had an MRI on his sprained left ankle and needs the swelling to go down before he returns. He missed his second consecutive game, and Donovan wasn't sure if he will be available at Miami on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Charlotte Hornets' Bismack Biyombo (8) and Miles Bridges (0) pressure Chicago Bulls' Nikola Vucevic (9) who passes the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Chicago. (AP PhotoCharles Rex Arbogast)

Hornets: Host Cleveland on Friday.

Bulls: Visit Miami on Saturday.

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Chicago Bulls' Thaddeus Young, center, scores against Charlotte Hornets' Miles Bridges, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Chicago. (AP PhotoCharles Rex Arbogast)

Charlotte Hornets' Terry Rozier (3) shoots past the outstretched arm of Chicago Bulls' Daniel Theis during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Chicago. (AP PhotoCharles Rex Arbogast)

Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego yells at his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Chicago. (AP PhotoCharles Rex Arbogast)

Chicago Bulls' Thaddeus Young, left, shoots over Charlotte Hornets' Cody Zeller during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Chicago. (AP PhotoCharles Rex Arbogast)

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, second from right, talks to his players during a timeout in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Chicago. (AP PhotoCharles Rex Arbogast)