Bulls commit fewest fouls in team history during 30-point rout
What a difference 15 days can make.
Back on opening night in Oklahoma City, the Bulls committed 28 fouls and sent the Thunder to the foul line an alarming 47 times.
The Bulls were able to turn that shortcoming around in a hurry. During Thursday's easy 120-90 victory over Golden State at the United Center, they committed the fewest fouls in a game in team history.
The home team was whistled for just 7 infractions against the Warriors and, yes, the game did last the full 48 minutes.
The previous franchise low was 9 fouls against New York on Jan. 21, 1997. According to the NBA Guide, the league record is 5 by Dallas at San Antonio on Nov. 20, 1999. The Bulls are now tied for second best with five other teams.
“We're pulling our hands back. We're playing better body position defense,” first-year coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I think our help is better and we're giving appropriate help. I don't like reckless gambling.”
Without those pesky free throws stopping the action, the Bulls (4-3) were able to get out and run, piling up 37 fastbreak points that's 9 more than last year's season-high.
“That's when we're dangerous, when we push the ball,” guard Derrick Rose said. “We're a team if we get easy points, it can be a comfortable game for us. Anything quick and easy.”
Forward Luol Deng led the way with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Rose finished with 22 points and 13 assists. This was Rose's third double-digit assist game already this season, compared to six all of last year.
The defensive star of the game had to be shooting guard Keith Bogans, who collected 6 steals to go with a season-high 14 points.
“We didn't reach with our hands, we just slid our feet and stayed in front of the ball,” Bogans said.
One slight negative for the Bulls was the end of Joakim Noah's double-double streak at six. Noah had 17 points, 5 assists and 2 blocks, but just 7 rebounds less than half of his league-leading average.
“My legs felt kind of heavy. That happens,” Noah said. “We also shot the ball pretty well. Obviously, I think I could have done better. But I'm happy we got the win and happy with the way we played. To me, that's more important than double-digit rebounds.”
Golden State (6-3) is off to a fast start this season, but faced a tough task of playing its fourth game in five nights. The Warriors were also missing power forward David Lee, who suffered a gash on his left elbow during Wednesday's win at New York. Lee's elbow knocked out two teeth from Wilson Chandler's mouth. A piece of one tooth had to be removed from Lee's arm after the game.
“This morning I woke up to unbearable pain,” Lee said prior to Thursday's contest. “Ended up in the ER this morning, getting an IV and antibiotics. I'm already starting to feel better. Hopefully, I'll be able to play in Milwaukee on Saturday.”
The Bulls have one home game left against Washington on Saturday before leaving on the seven-game circus road trip. Deng doesn't think Thibodeau will let anyone get comfortable with this performance, which saw the Bulls open a 30-point lead in the second quarter.
“At practice tomorrow, we're going to focus on ‘D,'” Deng said. “Probably going to watch a lot of clips of the stuff we didn't do right, which is good, and start talking about Washington.”
Mike McGraw's game tracker
<p><b>Running away: This was a blowout from start to finish with the Bulls opening a 30-point lead in the second quarter. Luol Deng finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, Derrick Rose had 22 points and 13 assists. Keith Bogans also turned in a good performance with 14 points and 6 steals.</p></b>
<p><b>Clean living: The Bulls couldn't stop fouling at the start of the season. Against Golden State, they set a franchise record by committing just 7 fouls, 2 short of the NBA mark.</p></b>
<p><b>Writing on wall: “There are some nights when you know your players are not into it and the juice is not there,” said Warriors coach Keith Smart, who team was playing for the fourth time in five nights.</p></b>