Bulls fans get behind McDermott 3s
Even with all the points he scored in college, Doug McDermott can appreciate the buzz he has created at the United Center.
Whenever McDermott lined up a shot in Monday's win over Sacramento, the home fans always had an audible, positive reaction.
That's what happens when someone shoots 59 percent from 3-point range (19-for-32) over the last six games.
"Yeah, it's very exciting," McDermott said Tuesday at the Advocate Center. "I wish I could have hit a few there in the second half.
"But it's definitely exciting getting the crowd into it, kind of showing them what I'm capable of, and it's been a lot of fun here the last few games."
McDermott hit his first 4 shots from 3-point land Monday, then missed his last 3. He finished with 16 points and has been the Chicago Bulls' leading scorer over the last six contests at 17.8 per game.
His teammates are making a conscious effort to look for McDermott early and often, which has helped him stay hot.
"Jimmy Butler's been a guy saying, 'When you've got it going, run to the ball,' " McDermott said. "I've actually started doing that a little more.
"The shot clock's a lot shorter in the NBA, so you can get away with it a little more. In transition, a little more, I'll whisper to Aaron Brooks, 'flip back,' or do something to get a quick shot off."
Gasol looks good:
The Bulls' injury report remained steady. The team is calling Pau Gasol probable for Wednesday's home game against New York.
He returned Monday after missing four games with a sore right knee, producing 14 points and 14 rebounds in 24 minutes.
"Pau is in there getting evaluated right now," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "We'll see how he responds. But his body feels good. Just a little bit of general soreness."
E'Twaun Moore was seen running Tuesday at the Advocate Center, but he won't make the upcoming road trip to New York and Orlando. Moore has missed two games with a hamstring injury and figures to miss at least three more.
"He's doing a little better," Hoiberg said. "He still has some pain with the hamstring."
Call shocks Dunleavy:
In the fourth quarter of Monday's game at the United Center, Mike Dunleavy soared above three Sacramento big men to snag an offensive rebound.
Dunleavy was thrown to the floor, but when the whistle blew, he was the one called for a loose-ball foul for climbing the back of DeMarcus Cousins. Dunleavy has had a couple of run-ins with Cousins the past two seasons, but that had nothing to do with this play.
"I mean, forget Cousins. Monty McCutchen is a really good ref, but I was shocked," Dunleavy said. "You could have thrown a surprise party for me at half-court and I would have been less caught off guard.
"That was all time right there."