All-Star Moment of the Day: Zach LaVine's season-high 46 points leads Bulls to victory in record-breaking game

Benyam Kidane

All-Star Moment of the Day: Zach LaVine's season-high 46 points leads Bulls to victory in record-breaking game image

Zach LaVine has been ballin' all season for the Chicago Bulls, but tonight he re-wrote the record books with a season-high 46 points in their 129-116 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

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It marked the second 40-point game of the season for LaVine and moves him to second for the most 45-point games in Bulls franchise history with four. Michael Jordan owns that record with 73! 

LaVine, who looks on track to earn his first All-Star berth this season, is sitting fifth among guards in the Eastern Conference fan voting, but after tonight's performance, it would seem impossible to leave him out. 

He poured in 20 points in the first quarter on a ridiculous 7-of-8 from the field and 5-of-5 from the 3-point line, adding two rebounds and two assists as the Pelicans couldn't find an answer for the explosive 25-year-old.

To put it in context, there have been four 20-point quarters this season and LaVine owns two of them, with Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic having one each. 

Such has been the evolution of the two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion's game, LaVine has increased his 3-point percentage every season since arriving in Chicago and is now one of the league's most lethal players from beyond the arc.

This season LaVine is fifth in scoring at 28.2 points per game, shooting 42.2 percent from the 3-point line on 8.3 attempts per game, boasting career bests in scoring, rebounding, assists, field-goal percentage and three-point percentage.

After scoring 35 points in their last game against the Wizards and 39 in the game prior against the Magic, LaVine has now scored 120 points across his last three games, becoming the first Bulls player to do so in a three-game span since Michael Jordan in 1997.

While LaVine smashed plenty of records on his own, alongside point guard Coby White, the duo created NBA history, combining for 17 3-pointers, becoming the first teammates EVER to each make eight threes in the same game, per NBA Stats.

A feat not even Curry and Klay Thompson have managed. 

White recorded 30 points and seven assists, knocking down 8-of-17 from three, while LaVine buried 9-of-14. As a team, the Bulls set a new franchise record with 25 made 3-pointers in the win.

With their two young guards showcasing their offensive potential, Bulls fans have plenty of reasons to be excited this season. A first-time All-Star berth for Zach LaVne is one of them.

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Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.