Submitted by National Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
The Chicago Bulls finished a season-high six games at home at 4-2 with Saturday's win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Here are 10 takeaways from the 105-92 win:
— The Bulls concluded the month of December with a 9-5 record. They began their improved play recently with a November 30 home overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. But this month has seen continued improvements in ball movement, scoring balance and defense. January brings a tough test with 10 games on the road.
— As for that improved defense, the Bulls limited the 76ers to 39.1 percent shooting. They forced a 24-second shot clock violation in the fourth quarter that earned the bench a standing ovation. One thing the Bulls didn't do well defensively was finishing possessions, allowing 20 second chance points.
— For the second straight game, Andre Drummond sat with three fouls before halftime. Drummond, while continuing his outstanding rebounding streak by hitting double digits before halftime and finishing with 23, also deviated from his strengths and put the ball on the floor too frequently. Live dribble situations resulted in three turnovers. This is the third straight first half in which Drummond has grabbed double-digit rebounds. The fact that he grabbed 20 or more rebounds in two of his three starts with injured Nikola Vucevic is huge. Drummond joins Rudy Gobert as the only players this season to record multiple 20-rebound games. Drummond also added 15 points and three blocks.
Drummond's 64 rebounds over his last three games are the most over a three-game stretch by a Bull since Dennis Rodman had the same in January 1998.
— Drummond's foul trouble led to 11 first-half minutes and 17 total minutes for Terry Taylor, who played well with 3-for-3 shooting, six rebounds and two assists. He also ran the floor well in transition and set solid screens. Taylor performs well as a backup center in small-ball lineups with Vucevic sidelined. Vucevic joined the NBC Sports Chicago broadcast and told broadcasters Mark Schanowski and Stacey King that he “couldn't lie (and sitting around) was too boring.”
As for Taylor, he said his opportunity “has been a blessing” and that he's just trying to make his teammates' jobs easier by doing “all the little things.” He said his focus was refreshing and trying to be a “good, transferable defender.”
At 6 feet 4 inches, Taylor said he's used to being undersized at center. At one point, he guarded the 7-foot-1-inch Mo Bamba.
“I have the heart and the will to compete and take on anyone,” Taylor said.
— Coby White posted his best shooting night since Dec. 21 against the Spurs. He finished 7-for-15 for 20 points and added eight rebounds. White only made one of four 3-pointers, continuing to struggle from beyond the arc.
— All five starters reached double figures, led by DeMar DeRozan with 24 points. The Bulls got 50.6 percent.
— The 76ers were without most valuable player Joel Embiid, who has a sprained right ankle. The 76ers entered with a 2-4 record in games played without Embiid, including a 2-1 record in this four-game road trip that ended with Saturday's game.
— The Bulls lead the NBA in fewest turnovers per game and have 10 games with nine or fewer. But they committed six goals in the first quarter alone and finished with 17.
— With the first quarter over, the Pistons' game against Toronto ended with Detroit snapping their NBA-record 28-game losing streak. That means the Bulls won't be the last win for the Pistons, who returned on October 28.
— In his pregame remarks, Donovan said Zach LaVine could practice with the Bulls late next week. “If things continue like this, I think that's a very strong possibility,” Donovan said.
LaVine will not travel for the Bulls' two-game trip to Philadelphia and New York, and will remain in Chicago to work with player development coaches, where he is expected to be allowed contact for the first time. If LaVine passes this test, expect him to practice with his teammates after they return from the Knicks game. “He responded well,” Donovan said.
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