McGraw: Bulls' Mirotic making most of big opportunity

The Bulls have had plenty of reason to curse their bad luck in recent years, but there has a been a silver lining to this season's setbacks.

During the past 12 games, the Bulls have had all three of their top big men - Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson - healthy and available just once. That happened last weekend against Golden State.

The series of injuries created an opportunity for rookie Nikola Mirotic, though, and that could bring a significant payoff down the road.

Mirotic scored 15 points off the bench in Friday's 115-106 win over Portland. He helped lead a 19-2 run by the subs in the second quarter that put the Bulls ahead for good.

"Niko, he doesn't know how good he is right now," Derrick Rose said after the game. "He can rebound, he can cut, he can pass. I don't know what he can't do on the floor."

Versatility helped the 6-foot-10 Mirotic become a two-time winner of the EuroLeague's Rising Star Award when he played for Real Madrid. The Bulls acquired the Montenegro native on draft night in 2011.

After crossing the Atlantic this summer, Mirotic's playing time figured to be a concern, since the Bulls already were deep at power forward. That's why the injuries may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Mirotic is getting an unexpected chance to build confidence.

In the 11 games Gasol, Noah or Gibson sat out, Mirotic has averaged 12.1 points and 7.8 rebounds. He has scored in double figures nine times and had three double-digit rebound games.

"Niko, he's only going to get better and better," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I loved the way he ran the floor (against the Blazers), made hustle plays. As he gets used to the league, it's going to be better for him, too."

Gasol has tried to serve as a big brother for Mirotic, having made the jump from the Spanish league to the NBA 13 years ago. He tried to use the long circus road trip as a chance to bond with the Bulls rookie. When Mirotic is at home, he's kept busy by his infant son, Alexsej.

"When you come to the NBA the first year, it's not about where you are, where you live. It's about basketball, how well you do on the court," Gasol said. "He has a family, a pretty young child, so that helps. He's doing well. You can tell he's comfortable and confident and getting in a good rhythm."

Old friend in Florida:

The Bulls will see former teammate Luol Deng on Sunday in Miami. It's just the second time they've played against Deng since he was traded to Cleveland last January, and he won't return to the United Center until Jan. 25.

After Friday's game, Derrick Rose talked about his longtime teammate.

"(I learned about) becoming a pro, taking care of my body. Little things that you don't think about," Rose said. "He'd come in here at halftime and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You don't think about it, but that's great. You're able to run around more. Your endurance picks up.

"I wish I would have looked at him a little bit more when I was a rookie."

McDermott on mend:

Bulls rookie Doug McDermott was expected to have an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee Saturday morning. It's not clear how long he will be sidelined, but it figures to be a few weeks at least.

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