Bulls set unusual record with only 4 free-throw tries
MILWAUKEE — This sounds like an odd record to set during a 23-point victory, but the Bulls established a franchise low with just 4 free-throw attempts Saturday.
They did not set a team mark for fewest free throws made. They went 3-for-4 against the Bucks. In their previous low free-throw game, on March 13, 1973 against Seattle, the Bulls were 2-for-5 at the line.
“That’s crazy,” said Derrick Rose, who shot 1 free throw against the Bucks. “I was trying to get the hole and get fouled, like 10 times. But I guess they weren’t fouls.”
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said he was concerned about the low free throws, but admitted it was a byproduct of some small lineups and the Bulls making 14 of 30 shots from 3-point range.
Deng stays in shape:Tom Thibodeau didn#146;t ease Luol Deng back into action, by any means. The Bulls#146; workhorse logged 41 minutes and stuck to his usual role of staying on the floor when the other starters hit the bench early in the second quarter.#147;The big thing was, and I watch him every day, I see what he does in terms of his conditioning and what he#146;s been doing on the court,#148; Thibodeau said. #147;I didn#146;t know how he would handle all the contact. Three-on-3 is a lot different than an NBA game.#147;He said he felt great, so once he showed that he could handle it, we just went back to the normal rotation.#148;Rose needs a stretch:At one point in the game, assistant trainer Jeff Tanaka worked to stretch Derrick Rose#146;s back. While Rose lay on the floor, Tanaka pulled up on Rose#146;s legs. Another time, he pushed Rose forward from a sitting position.#147;My back tends to get tight a little bit,#148; Rose said. #147;That#146;s why my shot was kind of flat. But I know after tonight and the day off tomorrow, I#146;ll get my back worked on and it will be out of the way quick. It just got tight on me. That can easily go away.#148;Player of distinction:Before Saturday#146;s game, Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles was asked if the Bulls#146; depth helped distinguish their team. Skiles didn#146;t buy the premise.#147;Nothing against any of those guys over there, but Derrick Rose is what distinguishes their team,#148; Skiles said. #147;They have a guy that#146;s at the top of the league, the top of his position. Those other guys would be nice additions to any team, but he is truly a great player.#148;Brat town excitement:This was Milwaukee#146;s first sellout of the season and Bulls fans seemed to be a majority of the 18,717 in attendance.#147;I thought the crowd tonight was amazing,#148; Kyle Korver said. #147;It was like a college crowd. It was rowdy. It was all for us.#148;