Celtics' Stevens agrees that Bulls' defense has earned respect
Boston Celtics leading scorer Kemba Walker missed his second-straight game Saturday due to an illness.
This wasn't a case of a good team giving their star player the night off, but Bulls coach Jim Boylen was asked if he takes any offense when opponents don't play their best lineup against the Bulls.
"I think Milwaukee brought their guys twice in this building, brought them back to play against us," Boylen said. "So I do feel there's a respect out there for our defense and what we're trying to build. I think there's a respect from what I hear from other people, for how hard we play. So I think teams just do what they think is best for them."
Earlier this week, the Bucks had two players, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe, return from injuries against the Bulls.
Before Saturday's game, Celtics coach Brad Stevens did give some respect to the Bulls' improving defense. The Bulls started the night ranked fourth in the league in defensive rating, one spot behind Boston. Milwaukee and Toronto rank 1 and 2.
"They've been really good; really aggressive," Stevens said. "I think they've got a number of guys that are good defenders, have good athleticism. I think (Kris) Dunn has done a good job ... leading the way with pressure.
"They will overplay and get back and recover, which is a great sign of a hard-playing team. They'll overhelp and still get back and challenge, which is a great sign of a hard-playing team. They're top five for a reason."
Changing of the centers:
Coach Jim Boylen started the season talking about how free-agent addition Luke Kornet would be a valuable piece in the rotation. On Saturday, Boylen talked about why Kornet has played only in garbage time since Nov. 12, while rookie Daniel Gafford took over the backup center role. Kornet missed a few games due to sinus surgery during that time.
"I think it's a combination of things," Boylen said. "The sinus surgery and the way he felt early physically and the emergence of Daniel Gafford, with this single-mindedness, with his athleticism and his energy.
"Our intentions were good. You don't know exactly what you have sometimes with a draft pick. You hope that they can learn and grow and he's done a heck of a job. So I think you have to credit him more than maybe critique Luke."
Hutch doesn't return:
Chandler Hutchison was not active for Saturday's game. He logged 39 minutes for the Windy City Bulls on Friday, producing 14 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks, while shooting 6-for-20 from the field.
Hutchison has been sidelined by a shoulder injury since Nov. 27 and coach Jim Boylen said the team wanted to be cautious with his return. Center Cristiano Felicio, who also played for Windy City on Friday, was active against Boston. Felicio had been out with a broken wrist and illness.