Bulls’ mystery continues with loss to Bucks
There were plenty of injuries and some blown opportunities, but this was really just another night at the office in the Bulls’ season of mystery.
Once again, the Bulls went out of their way to prove they can win or lose against any team in the NBA. They own victories over Indiana and Miami, but now also have lost to the league’s two worst teams: Utah and Milwaukee.
With just one opening-night starter on the floor Tuesday, the Bulls seemed to be in good shape at halftime but struggled in the fourth quarter of a 78-74 loss to the Bucks at the United Center.
Joakim Noah was a surprise addition to the injured list, his malady listed as a right-thigh bruise. Coach Tom Thibodeau didn’t mention the injury before the game but afterward said it’s something that has bothered Noah for a few games.
“It’s there and it was improving,” Thibodeau said. “He did something today. He said he moved a certain way and something happened.”
Whether Noah’s absence is reason for concern or simply a night of rest at the start of four games in five nights adds to the intrigue. Noah’s personal trainer, Alex Perris, said on the BullsTV pregame show that he thought the plan was to have Noah ready for Wednesday in New York.
Luol Deng missed his second straight game with a sore left Achilles but could be ready to face the Knicks. Jimmy Butler (turf toe) probably needs a few more days to get healthy.
So there were a number of ways to read into this ugly loss: Maybe the Bulls (8-11) thought they could beat the lowly Bucks without Noah. Maybe they’re going out of their way to make sure the team is healthier late in the season. Maybe management wouldn’t mind joining Milwaukee in the dash for lottery chances.
Any or all of those three theories are feasible.
The Bucks (5-16) started the night with the worst record in the Eastern Conference, and for much of the night it seemed as though they had little interest in winning this one.
The Bulls led 42-35 at halftime after Mike Dunleavy hit 7 of 7 shots for 18 points in the second quarter. Dunleavy spent the previous two seasons with Milwaukee before joining the Bulls as a free agent last summer.
That lead slipped to 57-55 at the end of three quarters. The Bucks opened the fourth with a 10-2 run and never relinquished the lead.
“There’s a way to win every game,” Thibodeau said. “You have four starters out. If you defend and rebound and you take care of the ball, you’re going to be in position to win. Everyone who is called upon is capable of doing their job.”
Aside from Dunleavy’s hot-shooting second quarter, the Bulls averaged 15.3 points in the other three. They shot 37.3 percent from the field with 18 turnovers. Point guards Kirk Hinrich and Marquis Teague combined to hit 1 of 17 shots from the field and scored 3 points.
Dunleavy finished with 24 points. Boozer added 21 points and 12 rebounds but went 2-for-9 from the field in the fourth quarter when the Bulls squandered several chances to salvage a win.
“As far as performance and skill and all that, the main thing is we’ve got to play hard and compete and grind it out,” Dunleavy said. “We can do that whether Joakim Noah, Luol Deng or Derrick (Rose) is in the lineup or not. That’s a mindset. That’s not a skill thing.”
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Bulls game day
Bulls vs. New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 7 p.m. Wednesday
TV/radio: Comcast SportsNet, ESPN/ESPN 1000-AM
At a glance: The Knicks actually looked pretty good on opening night in Chicago. They played some scrappy defense before losing 82-81 on Derrick Roses floater with 5.7 seconds left. Things seemed to fall apart when C Tyson Chandler injured his knee on Nov. 5, and the Knicks are 5-15 following Tuesdays loss at Cleveland. Carmelo Anthony is averaging 25.2 points and a career-high 9.7 rebounds. Former Toronto PF Andrea Bargnani is the second-leading scorer at 14.7 points, followed by SG J.R. Smith at 11.2 ppg and PG Raymond Felton with 10.6. The Bulls have won six in a row against New York.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Mike McGraw