Defensive-minded Bulls stay competitive, but lose at Toronto
The NBA season began with a trend toward even more scoring, but the Bulls have reversed course since Jim Boylen took over as head coach.
Once again in Toronto on Sunday, the Bulls tried to slow things down with a focus on defense. They were competitive, but lost 95-89 at Scotiabank Arena. It was the sixth time in Boylen's 13 games that both sides scored less than 100.
"I guess we're different," Zach LaVine told reporters after the game. "We can adjust to it."
Toronto (27-11) took the lead for good midway through the third quarter, but never led by more than 9 points. The Bulls were within 85-82 after a Lauri Markkanen 3-pointer with 1:21 left. But Kris Dunn fouled Kawhi Leonard on the other end, he hit both free throws and after a Dunn miss, the Raptors finished things by hitting 8 more free throws.
The Bulls' biggest problem in this game was easy to spot. Toronto built a 24-10 advantage in second-chance points, winning the offensive boards 17-7. There were a lot of long rebounds when quicker Raptors simply beat the Bulls to the ball.
"It's gut-wrenching, the long rebounds," Boylen told reporters after the contest. "We had a couple guys run out after the (shot) contest. We've got to get back in the scoring area and get the ball. So we'll work on that, we'll coach that.
"I think we gave up 24 points second-chance and 22 off turnovers. We gave them 46 points off things I think we've got to control better. So that's what we've got to coach and that's what we've got to work on. But I felt our effort was really good and I thought we competed."
The Bulls had balanced scoring, with all five starters plus rookie Chandler Hutchison in double figures. Markkanen led with 18 points, followed by center Wendell Carter Jr., who recorded his second-straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Dunn had 14 points and 8 assists. Hutchison went 5-for-5 from the field to finish with 11 points, one short of his career-high. LaVine, in his third game back after missing five with a sprained left ankle, hit just 3 of 17 shots for 13 points.
"I'm still coming off this ankle so don't got the same lift, but I've got to make them regardless," LaVine said. "It's just one of them days. I wish I could go back and make them because I know at least five of them I can make. The other ones were tough ones. It bounces that way sometimes. It stinks, but I'll be back at it next time."
The Bulls (10-27) have kept their turnovers relatively low since slowing the game down, but they finished with 18 on Sunday. Dunn led the team with 4 giveaways.
Leonard scored 27 points and could often be seen overpowering Justin Holiday near the basket. That's the sort of defensive role Hutchison may take over soon. Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry did not play because of a back injury.
Another positive was Carter committing zero fouls in 33 minutes. It was the first time in his rookie season Carter was not whistled for any fouls.
"We've been talking to him about it a lot," Boylen said. "You've got to show your hands against these guys, (Pascal) Siakam and Kawhi are going to get in your wheelhouse and get inside of you and if you don't show your hands (on defense), they're going to go to the line. I'm proud of him, he seems to keep getting better every game."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls