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High-scoring Bulls still trying to work out offensive flaws

Eleven games into the Bulls season, we're getting an idea of how new coach Billy Donovan wants to play. But some of the numbers are difficult to explain.

For example, the Bulls rank second in the NBA in pace, which is based on the number of possessions a team gets per game. But they rank 27th in fast-break points, according to nba.com.

They're also worst in the NBA at turning the ball over as well as giving up points off turnovers.

"I think the pace for us, we need to play fast. We need to get up and down. We need to be a team that can generate and manufacture shots in transition," Donovan said Thursday. "But I look at it the other way too. The pace is one thing, but I think you also got to look at how much are you scoring in transition. We haven't scored very well in transition. That's an area we've got to get better at."

All of these team traits make sense. The Bulls should be playing fast with their backcourt of Coby White and Zach LaVine, while White is new to the role of primary ballhandler.

The Los Angeles Clippers took advantage Sunday by ripping the ball from White a couple of times for fast-break lay-ins, which proved costly in a 4-point loss.

LaVine leads the Bulls and is eighth in the league with 4.1 turnovers per game, while White is at 3.0. That's not necessarily anything to be ashamed of. Most of the NBA's turnover leaders are all-stars. Russell Westbrook, Luka Doncic, Trae Young, James Harden and Nikola Jokic are the top five.

Three-point shooting is another characteristic that helps define NBA teams these days. Former coach Jim Boylen wanted the Bulls take more shots behind the arc, but they didn't shoot a high percentage.

So far this season, they rank 15th in 3-pointers attempted and 11th in 3-point percentage, which seems efficient. The Bulls have five players (Lauri Markkanen, Patrick Williams, Otto Porter, Denzel Valentine and Garrett Temple) shooting better than 40 percent from 3-point range.

"I don't like dictating to a team, like, 'Hey, we only want to take 3s or layups,'" Donovan said. "I mean, every team in the league wants those. I think you've got to play to guys' strengths. There are players that are good in the midrange who are comfortable getting to those spots.

"Certainly if we can get more good quality 3-point shots, we'd be more than happy to take them. I'm not putting a limit on how many they should take, and I'm not obviously telling them to shoot more. We've got to take what the defense gives us."

While the number of cancellations around the NBA is growing, the Bulls left town for a two-game road trip, beginning Friday in Oklahoma City. They expect to have Markkanen back in the lineup after he missed seven games due to the league's health and safety protocols.

Donovan said he's optimistic Otto Porter will be able to play against OKC. He left the game against the Lakers last Friday with back spasms and didn't play against the Clippers. Porter was not as certain, saying he wants to see how he feels after practicing Thursday.

The Bulls offense has been clicking and the defense has been lacking. So it will be interesting to see what Markkanen brings after getting off to a fast start in the first four games. In the games Markkanen missed, LaVine averaged 30 points per game.

"He's had a couple days while we were in LA to work out and to get himself ready and then he's had two practices being back," Donovan said of Markkanen. "He should be available and ready to play."

Ryan Arcidiacono should also be available after missing seven games due to contact tracing. Regarding the two players who tested positive for COVID-19, Donovan said Chandler Hutchison has been cleared to return to the Advocate Center and begin light workouts. Tomas Satoransky is still away from the team.

Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls

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