This was the best the Bulls have looked since they started the season 5-0.
It started in the second quarter, when the Bulls went into a zone down 28-16 midway through the first quarter. That immediately disrupted the Cavs rhythm as the Bulls rattled off an 8-0 run to get back into the game before eventually taking a four-point lead into the second half.
The zone was effective because it kept the Cavs out of the paint, forcing them to settle for contested threes. From there, the Bulls did a nice job boxing out and preventing a top-five offensive rebounding team from getting much on the glass.
Critically, the Bulls were able to turn the Cavs over 20 times as they beat them 127-111. The Bulls’ 12 steals tied the third most of the season, and the Cavs’ 20 turnovers were their second-most in a game this season.
Tre Jones was impactful for the Bulls, especially in the first half, coming up with three steals alongside 11 points and 11 assists, and was a team-high +20.
Isaac Okoro also made his presence felt in a significant way, cutting away from the ball, fighting for offensive rebounds and providing physicality. He chipped in 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 30 minutes against his former team.
Josh Giddey had his sixth triple-double (23 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) of the season, but more importantly, he made his threes when the Cavs left him open (5-of-11), and he threw a handful of full-court hit-ahead passes to keep the Bulls offense firing on all cylinders.
Up next: We’ll see if the Bulls can maintain their level of play when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers again on Friday in Cleveland.
Tune into the CHGO Bulls postgame live:
In an attempt to improve their odds in the possession battle, the Bulls have tried to limit their own turnovers, box out on the defensive glass and prevent teams from getting to the foul line. They are solid in those areas, but those are more preventative when it comes to limiting their opponents’ ability to generate extra possessions, but not great at generating extra possessions of their own.
One way to do that is by forcing turnovers, but the Bulls are 28th in the league in turnover percentage. Without high steals defenders (except Jones), that’s going to be difficult. That leaves offensive rebounding as an area where the Bulls can improve upon their 24th-ranked offensive rebounding rate.
“We’ve defined guys that get back and guys that have to go,” Billy Donovan said. “Sometimes we could have two, three, four guys that are get-back guys in the game at one time, which is really going to inhibit the opportunity to crash more people.”
The Bulls are loaded with guards that need playing time and have been pushing up the lineup. But with the addition of the Zach Collins-Jalen Smith dual-big lineup, the Bulls should be able to generate a few extra possessions, especially against smaller opponents.
“At times, when we have three or four guys out there, it’s a little bit easier,” Donovan said. “I’m not expecting someone like Tre Jones or Coby [White] to be guys that are going to be running to the glass, because a lot of times they’re probably better suited to get back and balance the floor for us. Some of it is personnel-driven. It’s like anything else. The more people that you send [to rebound], it mirrors up pretty well. Whatever your crash rate is, generally, roughly around your offensive rebounding rate.”
The Bulls grabbed six offensive boards against the Cavs, resulting in 12 second-chance points. It’s unlikely this ever becomes a featured part of the Bulls’ identity, but a few additional chances can swing momentum over the course of a game, or chip away at their opponents’ ability to get on the break.
Hey, look, the Bulls were alive tonight! That’s neat.
Is Jones this team’s best player? He carried a statline of 5 points, 7 assists, 3 steals and zero turnovers into halftime. He was a plus-19 in a 4-point Bulls advantage. For as much as we (and Donovan) talk about the importance of the Bulls winning the possession battle, I think it’s safe to say that your backup guard having an infinity-esque assist-to-turnover ratio while also generating takeaways is the best embodiment of achieving that goal. Way to go, Jones.
I appreciated White attacking early, rather than going straight to his three-point shot. Especially considering his recent cold slump from deep. His first two possessions were 1) an aggressive drive left, finishing with a short midrange after creating contact and separation and 2) a good ol’ classic head-down “I’m quicker than you” drive right to the rim. Then he stepped back and found his range. Good stuff, White.
Donovan trimmed Vucevic’s minutes from his usual first-quarter allotment. Smith and Collins played well together in the second unit, and Donovan went back to it again and again. I think we should (and will…?) see more of this trend moving forward. No disrespect to Vucevic, but his backups are earning more time.
Would’ve liked to see more trips to the free-throw line for the Bulls. One of the things they did well in their first game against the Cavs: 33-36 from the line. They didn’t come close to that tonight. But they were efficient with their shots and shared the ball well. So it’s a nitpick.
Giddey took… double-digit threes? Wow. Don’t see that too often. But he hit a decent amount of them, so no complaints there. Solid Giddey game overall, with his sixth triple-double of the year.
As expected, a much better showing by the Bulls tonight.
The Bulls held the Cavs to ZERO offensive rebounds in the 1st half. That’s impressive.
Smith was big for the Bulls. He and Collins played well together.
Giddey is a menace. He attacks, attacks, and attacks some more. Made some really cool passes this game.
Jones was EVERYWHERE. The way he attacks on offense and defense is always fun to watch. It’s good they have someone they can lean on, especially when Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) is out.
Okoro played very well. I’m sure playing against his former team inspires him to play even better, but nonetheless, he had a good game.
The bench is back to leading the Bulls.
Patrick Lee Williams and Vucevic’s minutes were properly distributed.
— Big Dave
