Nam Y. Huh/AP
PORTLAND, Ore. – For a few seconds, there was nothing “calming” about Nikola Vucevic.
There was a quick turn and taunting fist pump for the bystanders in the Moda Center, a shove of excitement for Kevin Huerter and his other teammates that were trying to dog-pile him, and then a primal scream let out as he was being hugged and congratulated.
Vucevic was going through all of it.
Then again, with good reason. The Bulls big man watched a 21-point third-quarter lead melt away, had played an awful fourth quarter Wednesday night against the Trail Blazers, and was again called on to play hero with the clock nearing zeroes.