Bulls' annual feared road trip lasts only 4 games this year
The Chicago Bulls used to have reason to fear the annual circus road trip — it almost always went badly.
But now they're a consistent playoff team and this year's trek is historically short, with just four games on the road and only three against Western Conference opponents.
The trip opens Wednesday in Phoenix, then continues Friday against defending champion Golden State. Heading into Tuesday night's action, the Warriors were a perfect 11-0 on the season.
Dating back to last season, Golden State has won 24 straight regular season home games. The last team to win at Oracle Arena was the Bulls, 113-111 in overtime, last season on Jan. 27.
“It's exciting,” Derrick Rose said of the road trip. “It gives us a chance to bond as a team. We have a young group. I'm one of the veterans on the team now. It should help us grow.”
Rose is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game in Phoenix due to a sprained left ankle. After the Golden State game, the Bulls have three days off before facing Portland next Tuesday. The last stop on the trip is at Indiana on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving.
This has long been known as the circus road trip because it's when the circus sets up shop at the United Center, which has happened in late November for decades.
Hoiberg keeps it polite:
Fred Hoiberg never got a technical foul during 10 years as an NBA player. He said one time he even tried to get one, but was unsuccessful.
He hasn't gotten a technical yet as Bulls head coach, either, but thinks the day will come when it happens.
“A lot of (referees) are the same from when I was playing,” he said. “They've been great. I've talked to them some. I've had conversations, some pleasant, some not so pleasant, as all coaches do. When I played this game, I think I was longest-tenured player without a technical foul. I don't know if that's helped me or not.”
Hoiberg said he got either two or three technicals during his five years coaching Iowa State.
Defense still delivers:
As of Tuesday morning, the Bulls ranked first in the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage at .408. A staple of the Tom Thibodeau coaching era has remained intact.
“We're a veteran group. We understand what we have to do on defense,” Taj Gibson said. “We've been dominant on defense the last couple of years, so defense is the heart and soul of our (team), just trusting and talking. Coach, he trusts us, he calms us down. He knows what to say at the right time. It's great.”