Keys in Chicago Bulls Game 6 Victory

The Chicago Bulls closed out their first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks with a commanding 120-66 victory at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Thursday night. After taking a 3-0 series lead, the Bulls dropped the next two games in ugly fashion prompting critics everywhere to speculate that the Bulls may be the first team in NBA history to lose a playoff series after winning the first three games. The Bulls came out with a vengeance Thursday night, asserting their dominance over Milwaukee from the get-go. Here are the highlights from the Bulls big Game 6 victory against Milwaukee.

After a Game 5 loss at the United Center that brought the series to 3-2 in favor of the Bulls, Taj Gibson summed up why Milwaukee was able to crawl back into the series. According to Gibson, the Bulls were too full of themselves and started to let their guard down.

"“At times we just think we’re a little bit too good.”"

After Game 3, despite the Bulls 3-0 series lead, I wrote a column warning that the Bucks had developed a blueprint illustrating how to effectively play the Bulls defensively. In Game 6, the Bulls took that blueprint and tore it to pieces. Coach Thibodeau deserves much of the credit for addressing the issues head-on and rallying his team to victory when all the momentum was on the side of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bulls have now developed a blueprint of their own. This blueprint contains a strategy to neutralize a defensive strategy that was expressly created with the intent of making the Bulls two best players perimeter oriented and clog the lane to eliminate driving lanes. The Bulls will know what to expect if a later playoff opponent decides to execute a similar defensive zone that served Milwaukee so well in this series.

Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21), forward Pau Gasol (16) and center Joakim Noah talk on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 120-66. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

In their Game 6 victory, the Bulls reverted back to basic fundamentals to rediscover their identity and blow the Buck out at their own arena. The way that the Bulls executed in this game was so astronomically different than in the first five games that it is worth analyzing the key adjustments that were made. Here are three keys that allowed the Bulls to beat Milwaukee in Game 6.

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Floor Spacing

The Chicago Bulls spaced the floor and moved without the ball more efficiently in Game 6 and this ultimately contributed to the eventual victory. With the perimeter zone that the Bucks were playing which relied heavily on aggressive trapping, the Bulls did themselves a favor by spacing the floor. The Bucks had to scramble to cover guys once the Bulls broke the double teams, and the good floor spacing made this job more difficult because the Bucks defenders had to run a further distance to close-out on shooters. The floor spacing seemed to help out Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol offensively as well. Gasol had 19 points on 8/12 from the field. Noah scored 11 points on 5/7 from the field. For Noah, both of these numbers were series highs.

Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) celebrates while returning to the bench during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 120-66. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Pace

In game 6, the Chicago Bulls had 22 fast break points, their highest total in the entire series. When faced with a difficult half-court defense, an effective way to neutralize it is to push the ball up the floor and not allow the opponent to set up their defense. Derrick Rose is one of the most dynamic open court players in the entire league, so it was perplexing to see him trot the ball up the court on almost every possession. Jimmy Butler, likewise, is a good open court player and also was 6th in the league during the regular season in free throw attempts per game. If Butler has the ball on the break, there is a very good chance that he is either going to score or get to the foul line where he shoots an impressive 83%.

Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) celebrates following a play during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

In addition, when the Bulls push the ball down the court, the defense doesn’t have a chance to get set and the focus is immediately diverted to the ball handler. This allows shooters like Mike Dunleavy to camp out at the three point line and hit wide open shots when the ball is kicked out.

In Game 6, Mike Dunleavy had 20 points shooting 5/7 from the field including 4/6 from behind the three point arc. Is it a coincidence that Dunleavy had his series high of 20 points in the game in which the Bulls had the most fast break points? Probably not.

Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) looks on after being knocked down by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) (not pictured) during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Kirk Hinrich

Before Game 6, Kirk Hinrich played a grand total of 9 minutes in the series. This was a bit of head-scratcher especially considering he is one of Thibodeau’s most trusted players. Hinrich played 20 quality minutes in Game 6 and scored 5 points. Obviously, Hinrich’s impact transcended his scoring otherwise he wouldn’t be listed as a key in the Bulls Game 6 victory. The Buck’s backup guards have exposed Aaron Brooks defensively. The Bulls needed to find another option, because Brooks constantly getting broken down on the perimeter or getting posted up with ease was clearly breaking down the entire defense. Hinrich was the man that came in for the rescue, and the stats show that his play defensively slowed down the Buck’s guards significantly.

Mar 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich (12) passes the ball behind his back against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Chicago defeated Toronto 116-103. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Carter-Williams:

2014/2015 Postseason Average: 14.6 points per game on 39% shooting

Game 6: 3 points on 1/6 from the field

O.J. Mayo:

2014/2015 Postseason Average: 10 points per game on 34% shooting

Game 6: 4 points on 2/8 from the field

Jerryd Bayless:

2014/2015 Postseason Average: 6.4 points per game on 34.5% shooting

Game 6: 7 points on 2/6 from the field

The Chicago Bulls need to look at the adjustments that worked and apply them to their upcoming series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This series is going to be a dogfight, and the Bulls are going to have to play consistently solid basketball in order to win. This is the Bulls forth shot at Lebron in the playoffs. So far they are 0-3 against him. Does that change this season? Comment!

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