Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers: 3 Takeaways from Monday’s Loss

By Michael Whitlow

Dec 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the third quarter of the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the third quarter of the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Dwyane Wade, SG, Chicago Bulls
Dec 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

3. It’s only 20 games, but the Bulls need to find consistency

If the Bulls are expecting to play into the summer months this year unlike last season, consistency is going to be the name of the game.

Simply put: you can’t go out and beat the defending world champions at home on Friday night, and then lose your next two games (one of them to probably the worst team in the league the very next night).

Next: Bulls vs. Trail Blazers: Analysis of 112-110 loss

At one point in the young season, the Bulls had won four games in a row, which still remains their season-high for a win streak. That was from Nov. 10-17 (at Miami, Washington, at Portland, at Utah).

They haven’t had a win streak of any length since.

Despite the Eastern Conference still being the weaker of the two conferences, the Bulls can still make a run over the course of the season, but they have to find that stride.

Sure, things like getting guys healthy (Paul Zipser and Doug McDermott) is important. Yeah, getting more out of Rajon Rondo — who has been nothing short of a disappoitment — would be nice, too.

But, the big thing with the Bulls is finding the energy to play night in and night out will be a big thing.

Winning on national television against a premier opponent is always nice. Winning games when not everyone is watching is nice, too.

Home/Bulls News