Bulls promote Boylen after axing Hoiberg for 5-19 start
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls came into the season thinking they would start to climb in the wide-open Eastern Conference with a promising group of young players. A coaching change wasn't part of the plan.
The skidding Bulls fired Fred Hoiberg on Monday and promoted associate head coach Jim Boylen in hopes of turning around a miserable season. Chicago is averaging 103.4 points — 28th in the NBA — and is getting outscored by 9.6 per game. They are a woeful 5-19, better only than Cleveland and Phoenix.
Hoiberg, who had to deal with a veteran roster that didn't fit his style early on and then injuries to key players starting in training camp, never found his footing in Chicago. It added up to a 115-155 mark with one playoff appearance in three-plus seasons.
Executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson insisted the decision went beyond wins and losses, citing a lack of “energy and spirit.”
Paxson also said the Bulls are committed to Boylen, a Rockets assistant from 1992-2003, as their long-term head coach.
NUGGETS 106, RAPTORS 103
Nikola Jokic capped a triple-double with three free throws in the final seven seconds, Kyle Lowry missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer and Denver overcame an injury to leading scorer Gary Harris to win at Toronto.
Jokic made it 104-103 with a free throw with 7.0 seconds left, then hit two more foul shots with 5.6 seconds remaining before Lowry bounced a 26-footer off the rim.
Jokic had 23 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds,
Harris scored three points but did not play after the first quarter because of a sore right hip.
WARRIORS 128, HAWKS 111
Stephen Curry scored 30 points, Kevin Durant had 28 and Klay Thompson chipped in with 27 as Golden State cruised past Atlanta to snap a six-game losing streak on the road.
With Curry scoring 18 points in the opening quarter, this one was never in doubt as Golden State raced to a 34-17 lead in the first 12 minutes.
THUNDER 110, PISTONS 83
Steven Adams scored 21 points, Russell Westbrook added 18 and Oklahoma City won at Detroit to end the Pistons' five-game winning streak.
Paul George added 17 points for the Thunder, who are 15-3 since losing their first four games.
CLIPPERS 129 PELICANS 126
Tobias Harris made two clutch free throws with 4.7 seconds left to close out a 27-point performance, and Los Angeles held on to win at New Orleans.
WIZARDS 110, KNICKS 107
Bradley Beal scored 27 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. had 21 off the bench and Washington won at New York.
CAVALIERS 99, NETS 97
Jordan Clarkson had 20 points and 11 rebounds, newcomer Alec Burks threw down a two-handed dunk with 3.2 seconds left in regulation, and Cleveland won at Brooklyn.