Chicago Bulls pass their way to victory
A popular sports analytic these days is win-shares.
The Chicago Bulls have invented a similar category, the share-win. Monday was a good example as the Bulls recorded a season-high 35 assists and beat the Milwaukee Bucks 100-90 at the United Center.
The Bulls won without top scorer Jimmy Butler, scratched due to a sore left knee. He just returned Saturday after missing 11 games with the same injury.
Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 22 points, while Pau Gasol recorded his second triple-double in the last five games. Gasol hit double-digits in assists and rebounds before halftime, then finished with 12 points, 17 boards and 13 assists.
"There's people that have been saying he's 35 years old. He has a lot in the tank," teammate Taj Gibson said of Pau Gasol. "I'm just happy to be battling with him on a daily basis. People don't understand, he's one of the greats. He's going to bring it every night."
The Bulls (32-30) finally snapped their run of giving up at least 100 points in 16 straight games, dating to Jan. 28 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
There were a couple of in-game injuries, as well. Guard Aaron Brooks didn't return for the second half because of right patellar tendinitis.
Then rookie forward Bobby Portis suffered an orbital bone contusion early in the fourth quarter when struck in the face accidentally by Milwaukee's Jabari Parker after a foul. As he left the locker room, Portis couldn't open his left eye.
"At this point, it's borderline comical. We can't stay healthy, for whatever reason," said Mike Dunleavy, who scored 18 points. "It's unfortunate, it's disappointing, but it is what it is. We've got to continue to battle with who's out there, and we will."
Gibson survived all those seasons without Rose and others, so he had a good perspective on the Bulls battling through multiple injuries.
"Man, it's been like that for years. It's nothing new," Gibson said. "It kind of makes you mentally strong. I've been through this a lot. I think somebody put a spell on us. You've just got to keep digging, keep encouraging the young guys, keep pushing and keep believing. When you get punched in the face, don't run. Just keep fighting your way back."
Hoiberg said at this point, there are no plans for Butler to get another MRI exam on his left knee. Hoiberg said team doctor Brian Cole did not think there was any structural damage. The Bulls have two days off before playing at San Antonio on Thursday.
After leading Milwaukee by 12 late in the third quarter, the Bulls watched their lead dwindle to 2 points a few times. Leading 85-83, they got a couple of clutch 3-pointers from E'Twaun Moore and Dunleavy to make it 91-84 with 2:22 left.
A few days ago, the Bulls had fallen out of playoff position in the East, but every victory puts them in a better spot for the postseason.
"Everybody has to do whatever it takes to try to get the win," Gibson said. "Nobody really wants to be in this position knowing that you're right at the edge of the cliff."
• Get the latest Bulls news via Twitter by following @McGrawDHBulls.