Bulls’ Patrick Beverley wants to knock Lakers out of playoffs

CHICAGO — New Bulls guard Patrick Beverley already has two games circled for his new team on his calendar — and both are against the Los Angeles Lakers, his former roster.

While discussing his inclusion in the Bulls during “The Pat Bev Podcast” on Tuesday, Beverley noted that Chicago has two games left against the Lakers, for whom he has started 45 games this season. Those games could be crucial to the playoffs, and Beverley made his intentions clear for those matchups.

“Beat them out of the playoffs,” Beverley said on his podcast.

The Lakers traded Beverley to the Orlando Magic before the Feb. 9 trading deadline, and he agreed to a buyout with Orlando before signing with Chicago this week.

The Bulls will play the Lakers in Los Angeles on March 26th and host the Lakers in Chicago on March 29th. Both teams are currently looking on the outside after the play-in tournament. Chicago is 11th in the East at 26-33 and Los Angeles is 13th in the West at 27-32.

“We need to get to the playoffs,” Beverley said. “So excuse us.”

Beverley, who was born in Chicago, will join the Bulls for practice on Wednesday.

“If you think I’ve pushed for other teams, just imagine how hard I will push for this one,” Beverley said.

In 45 games with the Lakers, Beverley averaged 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 40% from the field. However, during the podcast he touted how much better he had played after a slow start to the season, including 39.6% from 3 since early December.

His shooting could be beneficial for the Bulls, who rank last in the NBA in both 3-point makes (10.3) and 3-point attempts (28.8) per game. But Beverley believes his influence extends beyond his performance on the pitch and is poised to make an impact in the Bulls dressing room as well.

“It’s hard to judge me from the outside,” Beverley said. “A lot of people think what I do is a lot of antics and all that extra [stuff]. But in reality, when I’m on your team and I’m your teammate, I’m a player and you’re my coach, there’s a different vibe: “He would do anything for the team.”

“You know me, I’m going to be Zach LaVine a–. I will give him all the energy he needs. destroy people. Me and DeMar DeRozan, we’re good. I have a [pick-and-pop] five in [Nikola] Vucevic. I’m excited.”