Latest swoon nothing new for Bulls

Now that the Bulls' 3-0 series lead over Milwaukee has dwindled to 3-2, a natural reaction is to wonder how things have gone so wrong.

The reality is, nothing has changed. Did you watch the Bulls in the regular season?

Whenever the Bulls had a chance to relax, they relaxed. There were 16 losses to teams that finished below .500. There was just one winning streak of more than four games.

So naturally, with a 3-0 lead in this first-round series, the Bulls relaxed. Now they're returning to the Bradley Center for Game 6 on Thursday.

Maybe it will be as simple as flipping the switch and playing harder. As bad a strategy as that is, the Bulls have gotten away with it this season. Just look at their 18-2 run in Game 3 or the 21-4 run early in Monday's 94-88 loss.

Of course, what usually happens after those big runs is that the Bulls let down and the Bucks get back in the game.

But there's a danger to the current situation, because Milwaukee is a young team gaining confidence. The Bucks' defense has gotten better in every game of this series and it will be tough for the Bulls to flip that switch to the off position.

"They're doing what they're doing. I wouldn't say they've changed much," Mike Dunleavy said of the Bucks after Game 5. "If we continue to move the ball, I think we'll get good shots. If we keep it to one side and not get into our offense quick enough, then it's going to be a struggle.

"To me, they've played the same way every game and we've played, I think, a little differently."

By now, Milwaukee's defensive style has been clearly established. The Bucks have some unique, long-armed, mobile players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Henson, along with tall guards. They'll trap all over the floor and flaunt the defensive three-second rule to keep shot blockers in the lane.

If the Bulls move the ball with a dribble, they will inevitably dribble into a crowd and end up having to navigate those long arms to complete a pass. Bad idea.

When the Bulls played well early in this series, they had a high percentage of baskets off assists, which meant they were moving the ball via the pass and beating double teams to create open shots. The Bulls shot an alarming 25.5 percent during the second half of Game 5 and had trouble finding that open man off the swing pass.

One thing missing in Game 5 was 3-point shooting. The Bulls were 4-for-22 from behind the arc, compared to 41.4 percent during the first four games of the series. Dunleavy and Tony Snell both went scoreless in Game 5.

Another odd circumstance Monday was backup guard Aaron Brooks played fairly well, but was on the court for just 5½ minutes. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau likes to match Brooks against Milwaukee's Jerryd Bayless to avoid the height difference with 6-6 starter Michael Carter-Williams.

Bayless played early in the second half of Game 5 because Carter-Williams went out with a sprained ankle. Carter-Williams returned to the floor late in the third quarter, just after Brooks went in for Derrick Rose. So Brooks was pulled after just 36 seconds and Rose ended up playing 42 minutes in Game 5.

The Bulls scheduled a practice for Tuesday, then canceled it. They'll have two days off before playing Game 6 on Thursday, which could make a difference. All season long, Rose has shot the ball better after two or more days of rest.

Maybe the news out of Cleveland was a distraction for the Bulls on Monday. The Cavs announced that Kevin Love is likely out for the playoffs with a dislocated left shoulder and the NBA announced a two-game suspension for guard J.R. Smith.

At the same time, people might wonder what chance the Bulls have against the Cavaliers in Round 2 if they're having so much trouble finishing off Milwaukee?

Look at it this way: Playing against the Bucks' defense has been like walking uphill into a head wind. During the regular season, Milwaukee ranked fifth in defensive field-goal percentage. The Cavs were 20th. The Bucks led the league in creating turnovers. The Cavs ranked 22nd.

Cleveland's defense might feel like a pillow fight compared to what the Bulls have been through. By winning Game 6, the Bulls could still get some rest. The second round won't start until Monday.

To get to the Cavs, though, the Bulls need to find their sense of urgency and stop dribbling into traffic.

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