Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers: Five Takeaways from the Bulls Loss

Lazy, Lazy Defense

The Indiana Pacers are not the Toronto Raptors, but there were times throughout the first half where you wouldn’t have known that. Indiana shot 51 percent in the first half and 48 percent for the game, and put up a frustrating amount of fast break points on the Bulls.

Need I say more?

The Bulls defensive issues have origins that predate this game by a lot of course. We’ve known all season that Robin Lopez can’t guard on the perimeter. It just hasn’t been as visible until Brook Lopez goes 5-for-6 from 3-point range or Myles Turner kills him in the pick-and-roll every time down the court. Solid move on Hoiberg’s part to keep Felicio in the game for most of the second half (more on that later).

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Doug McDermott is unfortunately part of the problem as well. It’s unclear if he or Wade is truly at fault for the above clip, but regardless, Doug needs to be more aware of back door cuts when he’s on defense. If we can see most of them coming from a mile away, he has to be aware enough to prevent them from happening. Doug could benefit from helping a step or two more on drives as well. It’s almost as if he doubts his own ability to close out properly if the ball gets kicked out to his man, but he’s conservative to the point that the defense suffers.

I could spend a while talking about Rondo’s defense, but my heart doesn’t have the strength. Plus, Michael Carter-Williams provided some good intensity at the point guard position in Rondo’s (thankfully prolonged) absence today, so I’ll save it and instead talk about Rondo’s offense.