With Mirotic back on bench, Cnicago Bulls lose sixth straight
So far this season, Chicago Bulls guard Kris Dunn has been a human wave machine.
He's at high tide, low tide. He moves fast, slows down and at times crashes into the shore.
Dunn was nearly at his best during the Bulls' 104-99 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night at the United Center. The second-year point guard scored a career-high 24 points, to go with 8 assists, 4 steals and 4 turnovers.
After going 0-for-6 from the field in Sunday's loss to Miami, Dunn attacked from the opening tip against Phoenix, scoring 9 points in the first four minutes. Asked about his mentality, Dunn didn't mince words.
"He (coach Fred Hoiberg) called me out," Dunn said. "When a coach calls you out, you go out there and try to play as hard as you can. I had to get back to my mind and get back to how I used to play, with that aggression - on defense, on offense - and try to stay downhill as much as I can, get everybody involved."
Dunn was the No. 5 overall draft pick in 2016, then had a rough rookie season in Minnesota. If nothing else, he has shown plenty of raw athletic talent since joining the Bulls.
Shooting often has been his weakness, but on Tuesday Dunn hit 10 of 15 shots from the field and all 4 of his 3-point attempts. He knocked down consecutive 3-pointers to complete a 12-1 run and bring the Bulls within 6 points with 3:35 left.
A short time later, though, with the Bulls down by 5, Dunn drove to the foul line and his pass for Robin Lopez was knocked away for a turnover.
"That's me being modest," Dunn said. "I took my foot off the gas. I should have took the shot. RoLo was crowded (by defenders) and I tried to slip it in there, because that's me trying to get everybody involved. But if the shot's right there for you, you've got to take it."
Justin Holiday hit a career-high 6 baskets from 3-point range on 9 attempts and led the Bulls with 25 points. But rookie Lauri Markkanen couldn't shake his recent shooting slump, going 3-for-11 from long range.
"We had 27 assists. I thought we could have had 40 tonight if we could have converted some shots in the paint and some open 3-pointers," Hoiberg said. "Kris' mentality out of the gate was as good as it's been. I thought he came out very aggressive. That's got to be his mentality every night."
A new look for the Bulls was Nikola Mirotic sitting on the bench. Mirotic attended a regular-season game for the first time since the Oct. 17 practice altercation with teammate Bobby Portis, which left Mirotic sidelined with facial fractures, while Portis was suspended eight games.
About an hour before tip-off, Mirotic strolled into the locker room wearing a tan sweatsuit. He took a seat in front of his locker, chatted with Lopez and disappeared into the players' lounge. Mirotic has not spoken to reporters since being injured.
"It's great to have Niko back on the floor (for practice)," Hoiberg said before the contest. "His back is really sore today after his first 5-on-5. It's just overall general body soreness, which is a good thing and important first step to getting back on the floor.
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