Bulls scoring more since Mirotic switched positions

Things have gone well for the Chicago Bulls since Nikola Mirotic became the starting small forward in the Dec. 21 game against Brooklyn.

Since the change was made the Bulls had gone 5-2 while averaging 106.7 points per game heading into Tuesday's 117-106 victory over Milwaukee. The scoring ranks fifth in the league during the time span, one spot ahead of Golden State.

“Our defensive efficiency has gone down overall a little bit,” coach Fred Hoiberg said after Tuesday's shootaround. “Our offensive efficiency has gone up pretty significantly with him at that spot.

“Now it's about getting him that mindset where he's guarding 3s and guarding smaller players and having to guard isolation actions. Again, he's done a pretty solid job with that.”

With so many other factors in play, it's tough to tell how much the offensive improvement has to do with the Mirotic switch. Joakim Noah missed six of those games and Derrick Rose three because of injuries.

Mirotic averaged 10.4 points in the seven games and offered no complaints with the new role.

“The team was winning, so I cannot complain,” he said. “I have a really important goal for me to show I can play (small forward) too. I'd like to mix it a little bit, play a little bit of 3, little bit of 4, not just one position. Wherever they need me, I will try to do my best.”

Parker makes it home:

Including playoffs and preseason, the Bucks have played six games at the United Center since the start of last season. Milwaukee forward Jabari Parker missed them all until finally playing in his hometown Tuesday.

“There are a lot of jitters in my stomach right now,” Parker said before the game. “I'm just glad I'm with my team here and I made it to this game.

“If we win, it would be more of a statement for me. Coming back home and going against all the people that always doubted me, it feels good.”

Much like Derrick Rose, Parker grew up on the South Side and played in high school at Simeon. Heading into this game, Parker was averaging 10.8 points in his second NBA season. He tore his ACL last December, which is why he never played at the United Center until now.

He had mixed feelings about the Bulls.

“They're like the blueprint of the team we want to be in a few years,” Parker said. “As much as we hate them, we really respect them and we try to mimic them as much as possible.”

Butler upgrades status:

After Jimmy Butler set a franchise record with 40 points in the second half Sunday at Toronto, coach Fred Hoiberg talked about the fifth-year forward's growth.

“Absolutely I think Jimmy has reached elite status in this league,” Hoiberg said. “You can see every game I think he's getting more comfortable.

“He's such a complete player, and it's a testament to what he does in the off-season. He just continues to add new elements to his game. He was in here at 8 o'clock this morning getting shots up. He's never satisfied, and I think that's the true sign of a superstar when you continue to work when you have success.”