Thibodeau not happy with Bulls’ defense

SALT LAKE CITY — Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau usually cancels practice on the road.

But even after flying into Utah early Tuesday morning, the Bulls held a long video session followed by a normal workout at the Jazz practice facility.

The reason was obvious. The Bulls gave up 100 points twice in a row during losses to Portland and Golden State.

“The big thing is the defense. We have to change it,” Thibodeau said. “We’ve played defense well for most of the year. The last two games, we’ve made it strictly an offensive contest.

“I actually like our offense a lot right now. We’re scoring well. We’re not guarding. You can’t win on the road like that.”

Thibodeau talked about the Bulls getting their edge back and playing defense with all five guys tied together. They opened the trip with a solid win against the Los Angeles Clippers, which had won nine straight at home.

But they couldn’t contain Golden State guard Monta Ellis (33 points) and especially not Portland center LaMarcus Aldridge, who piled up a career-high 42. Aldridge also scored 11 straight Blazers points late in the fourth quarter to prevent a Bulls comeback.

Thibodeau’s defenses typically don’t include many double-teams, but maybe Aldridge’s outburst was the right time to try it. Either way, the Bulls could have used injured center Joakim Noah.

“The thing that bothered me was I thought we gifted him a lot of points,” Thibodeau said. “He’s too good a player to do that with. When we guarded him correctly, he made some, he missed some. We gave him too many easy buckets. I can live with contested 2-point shots.”

Another option might have been to use rookie center Omer Asik, who slowed down Aldridge briefly in the third quarter.

“Looking at the film, I can honestly say I didn’t like how anyone played defense in that game,” Thibodeau said.

Bulls guard Derrick Rose scored 36 points at Portland but had his own defensive issues with veteran guard Andre Miller scoring 27 points.

While the return of former Utah players Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer was the dominant story line Tuesday, Rose was just eager to play again.

“We’re excited (because) we’ve been losing,” Rose said. “I wish the game was today, but it’s not. We’re playing against a very good team and it’s going to test us once again.”