Billy Donovan details the reason why he put Torrey Craig on Karl-Anthony Towns late in the game

It was a bold call by Billy Donovan.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

While the NBA has grown popular for its daily feats of athletic brilliance on the basketball court, equally interesting is the chess match being played from the sidelines by the coaches of the opposing teams. 

On Tuesday, as the Chicago Bulls were making their comeback from a 23-point deficit, coach Billy Donovan made a strategic decision that ultimately helped secure their victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Great block by Torrey Craig

After a long pursuit, the Bulls finally pulled in front, 112-110, after a three-point play by star guard Coby White, 2:28 left in the game. However, the Wolves had a shot at reclaiming the lead as Karl-Anthony Towns—who had already drained two triples in the fourth prior to that possession—sprung open at the right wing for a three-pointer.

Fortunately for Chicago, Torrey Craig was there to block the shot and send it out of bounds. Although that play would ultimately get buried behind the spectacular plays made by DeMar DeRozan, Andre Drummond, and Alex Caruso in overtime, it was remembered and admired by Donovan.

“Torrey made a great block,” Donovan said, referring to Craig’s lead-preserving defensive stand.

Craig, sidelined for a while because of a plantar fascia injury, exerted maximum effort on that play as he had to recover to KAT after helping stump Wolves star Anthony Edwards on a pick-and-roll.

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❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌ https://t.co/gz59PDy7ff pic.twitter.com/0NJfkW0Ri5

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 8, 2024

Tough to guard sweet-shooting bigs

After the game, Donovan shared why he had to turn to Craig, the seven-year-pro out of USC Upstate.

“It’s hard because (Towns) is so versatile, and he posts, and he can shoot, and he’s really good moving around on the perimeter,” Donovan remarked.

“It was just an opportunity coming out of a timeout to throw a different look at him. Because what they were doing was a lot of flaring for him and popping him and running him over top of screens on the perimeter.”

Block party at the UC! ❌

Our 16 blocks in last night's win were our most in a game since Jan. 1, 2015. pic.twitter.com/MNaE7N9BMM

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 7, 2024

Andre Drummond bats for more opportunities to team up with Nikola Vucevic