Bulls enjoy playing at Cavs' fast pace
It's not easy figuring out whether to feel optimistic about the Bulls this season.
Another promising sign arrived Friday, though, when the Bulls beat the defending champs at their own fast-paced game. Scoring at will in the paint against Cleveland's smallish lineup, the Bulls knocked off the Cavaliers 111-105 at the United Center.
“It gives you some confidence that you can play different styles,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “I thought our guys responded great.”
Centers like Timofey Mozgov, Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas are now relics of Cleveland's past. The Cavs spent this game with Channing Frye, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson trying to shut down the lane. Sometimes only one of those guys was on the floor.
On the offensive end, the Cavs' style can be a thing of beauty, with quick cuts and precision passes. On defense, there was plenty of space available to attack the basket.
Taj Gibson was the primary benefactor. He hit 10 of 13 shots from the field and scored 23 points. It was his first 20-point game since Nov. 17, 2014 when he had 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I've been getting in the paint all year,” Gibson said. “Tonight my teammates made an emphasis for me to attack the paint.”
The Bulls finished with 78 points in the paint. For some perspective, their previous season-best was 60. Oklahoma City leads the league in points in the paint with 50.4 per game.
The Bulls' so-called Three Alphas also attacked the basket well. While Jimmy Butler scored 26 points and Dwyane Wade 24, point guard Rajon Rondo collected his first triple-double as a Bull, finishing with 15 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds.
If the Bulls (11-7) keep rolling long enough to face Cleveland in the playoffs, maybe there's a chance to make it a competitive series. The Cavs (13-5) lost their third in a row, despite LeBron James' 27 points and 13 assists.
The Bulls are still searching for a couple of reliable pieces off the bench. Nikola Mirotic hit just 1 of 9 shots, didn't score until the 4:25 mark of the fourth quarter and the concept of how to switch on defense apparently never made its way to Montenegro.
But give Mirotic credit. He grabbed 8 rebounds and delivered two huge defensive plays late in the fourth quarter, first by stealing the ball from James on a double-team, then blocking a corner 3-pointer by Kyrie Irving.
Mirotic could have delivered the clinching basket, but missed a 3-pointer. Wade grabbed the rebound and followed it in to put the Bulls in control 109-101 with 1:58 remaining.
This victory came with the pregame sideshow of James walking from the team bus to the locker room wearing a Cubs uniform, the result of a World Series wager with Wade.
“At the end of the day, we're here to entertain,” Wade said.
At the same time, Wade appreciated another chance to play against his former Miami teammate. It will happen again at least three more time this season, barring injury, and maybe more.
“I could play against that guy 82 games a year, for what he brings to me as a competitor,” Wade said. “I just love playing against him. He brings the best out of everybody. That's what he means to our game.”
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