Portis delivers, but Bulls can't keep up with Pacers
Some opponents will take the rebuilding Bulls lightly. On other nights, teams will bear down, not wanting to squander what should be a very winnable game.
Friday was an example of the second scenario. The visiting Indiana Pacers were sharp from the start and overwhelmed the Bulls 105-87 at the United Center.
Here are a few words to describe the Bulls' performance: Sloppy, careless, off-target. The Bulls were credited with 12 turnovers in the box score, but it seemed like many more because there were enough careless fumbles and ill-advised cross-court passes to turn this one in the wrong direction. Indiana led in fast-break points 20-6, while the Bulls hit just 7 of 27 attempts from 3-point range.
There were a couple of notable performances from the home team. Point guard Kris Dunn had some flashy highlights and scored 16 points, but also led the team with 4 turnovers.
Bobby Portis, meanwhile, delivered his second-straight 20-10 game since returning from an eight-game suspension. He finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds on Friday in just 25 minutes of action.
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg talked about the Dunn dilemma. The second-year guard can turn in eye-opening plays, such as when he blew past Indiana's Victor Oladipo in the second quarter for a two-hand slam.
"He makes two plays that get you really excited, getting into the paint, high-flying dunks," Hoiberg said. "And then he has a couple really careless turnovers and that's what we've got to fix. We've just got to keep taking steps in the right direction with Kris. He's certainly showing flashes of being an excellent basketball player.
"We'll keep teaching and learning along the way with Kris. We still love him and think he has a bright future."
Hoiberg suggested it's a matter of Dunn focusing on making the simple plays.
"I'm still stuck on my turnovers. That's my biggest thing. I want to try to slow down and not make too many costly turnovers," Dunn said. "I think sometimes in the paint, I try to make the difficult passes. I think it would be better if I could get it on the hoop."
Portis posted 20 points and 10 rebounds just once in each of his first two NBA seasons. Now he's two-for-two to start his third year in the league.
"I'm not surprised," Portis said. "I put a lot of work in over the summer, on my jump shot, low-post game and everything. I feel like I've tuned everything up. This is a big year for me."
Portis didn't generate much reaction when he checked into the game. This was his first United Center appearance since throwing the punch in an Oct. 17 practice that sent teammate Nikola Mirotic to the hospital.
"He's making shots, he's playing with confidence," Hoiberg said. "I like that lineup with he and Lauri (Markkanen) out there. It's about effort with our team right now and you know Bobby's going to bring it every night."
Oladipo continued his fast start, leading the Pacers with 25 points. Bojan Bogdanovic hit 6 of 9 shots from 3-point range for 22 points.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls
Scouting report
Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Outlook: The Bulls lost their home opener to San Antonio 87-77 on Oct. 21 as PF LaMarcus Aldridge scored 28 points. All-stars Kawhi Leonard (right quadriceps tendinopathy) and Tony Parker (ruptured right quad tendon) have yet to play this season, but the Spurs were 7-4 heading into Friday's home game against Milwaukee. Aldridge is averaging a team-best 22.6 points, followed by newcomer SF Rudy Gay (13.5 ppg). Ex-Bulls C Pau Gasol is contributing 10.3 points and 8.2 rebounds. Another ex-Bull, Joffrey Lauvergne, missed his ninth straight game Friday with an ankle injury. The Bulls have lost three in a row at San Antonio.
Next: Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday, 7 p.m.
- Mike McGraw