Defense rises
Maligned unit holds Hawks to just 32.1 percent shooting
ATLANTA — It’s tough to play defense in the NBA when you’re a healthy, veteran team, much less an injury-ravaged, young one.
Perhaps that’s why coach Fred Hoiberg defended the Bulls’ much-beleaguered defense before it actually showed some teeth Saturday night in a 97-85 victory over the Hawks at State Farm Arena.
Predictably, the Bulls entered ranked near the bottom of most defensive categories. That included the 29th-ranked rating of allowing 120.5 points every 100 possessions. The Bulls also ranked 27th in points allowed per game.
That’s why an effort that forced 22 turnovers, featured a seasonhigh 14 steals and limited the Hawks to 32.1 percent shooting was so needed. That’s why a night where Ryan Arcidiacono outplayed hyped lottery pick Trae Young was so welcomed.
“Arch is a winner,” Jabari Parker said. “I love playing with that dude.”
Zach LaVine said the Bulls were embarrassed Saturday morning while watching the game film of Friday’s blowout loss to the Hornets.
“They just kicked our ass. It wasn’t a good feeling,” LaVine said of the loss to the Hornets. “It was good to bounce back. We played really good defense. We had a really good game plan from the coaches.”
Not having their best individual defender in Kris Dunn, their most talkative big man in Bobby Portis and a solid team defender and rebounder in Lauri Markkanen obviously doesn’t help. But plenty of the Bulls’ defensive issues this season have centered on effort more than scheme.
Transition defense has been consistently inconsistent. Battles for 50-50 balls have been lost.
Parker raised some eyebrows late Friday night when he matterof-factly stated the Bulls were unprepared for the Hornets to use double-drag screens, although Parker insisted he wasn’t fingering the coaching staff. Hoiberg said he hadn’t seen the comments, which were forgotten with a better defensive effort — and praise — anyway.
“We clamped down,” Parker said of the defensive difference. “We had a really good scout (report). We were prepared.”
Still, the game devolved into comically bad status at times, including an airballed Chandler Hutchison layup and a combined 42 turnovers. The Hawks didn’t make their second two-point field goal until 3 minutes remained in the first half.
For the second time in three games, Arcidiacono posted his career-high with 13 points.
“I know I’m not a proven player in this league,” Arcidiacono said. “But I know I can shoot it. So I’m going to shoot it with confidence.”
Young shot 3-for-12 for 13 points with five turnovers.
“Arch gave the biggest energy in the world,” LaVine said. “That’s Arch for you; he’s dirty.”
LaVine navigated through a sea of double-teaming — surely a defensive look more teams will employ — to score 27 points with a career-high 11 rebounds even though he committed nine turnovers. It’s the first time in LaVine’s career that he has strung together at least five 20-point games.
In a nod to the widespread double-teaming, Hoiberg basically played LaVine at point guard the second half, using the extra space at the top of the floor to aid him.
Parker added 18 points and eight rebounds off the bench, including a crucial 3-pointer with just more than two minutes left. Justin Holiday also sank two critical 3-pointers late as the Bulls shot 7-for-10 from beyond the arc in the final period.
“We did a good job making them take contested shots,” Hoiberg said. “Our guys were flying all over the place, going from assignment to assignment and making multiple effort plays. That’s what it’s all about.”
The Bulls begin a four-game homestand Monday night against the dynastic Warriors. That’s followed by matchups with the high-powered Nuggets, the stout Pacers and run-and-gun Rockets.
It’s time to get defensive.