Chicago Bulls: Recognizing Alex Caruso’s amazing performance

In a big win for the Chicago Bulls over the Dallas Mavericks at home at the United Center on the night of Nov. 10, the former Los Angeles Lakers defensive standout point guard Alex Caruso really proved his value on both ends of the floor. Caruso had another insanely good defensive game where he set some season highs for a reserve player.

At this point of the season, Caruso is the only reserve player to have at least five steals in a game coming off the bench. And he’s done it twice already through just 11 games during this regular season slate.

In the win over the Mavs on Nov. 10, Caruso registered six steals, which ties a career-high and sets a season and team-high for him and the Bulls. Even more impressive is the fact that Caruso now has more than five games this season with at least four steals where he came off the bench.

Chicago Bulls get another tremendous defensive game from Alex Caruso vs. Mavs

Caruso not only registered a game-high in steals for the Bulls in this 10-point win over superstar point guard Luka Doncic and the Mavs, but he tallied up more than half as many steals as Dallas’ entire team (nine). His steal percentage in this game (13.1) is also one of the most impressive of any single outing on the season for any player around the NBA.

Following this special performance for Caruso in a win over the Mavs, Caruso now leads the NBA in steal percentage (4.7), steals per game (2.6), and steals per 36 minutes (3.5). He also ranks second in the NBA in total steals (29).

These types of games are actually not too out of the ordinary for Caruso. In fact, there are only two players that have scored in the double figures with at least five steals, while also shooting at least 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc, while coming off the bench on three occasions. Those two are Caruso and Manu Ginobili.

I know that was a lot to follow, but it just proves the all-around value that Caruso brings to the table for the Bulls.

Down the stretch in this game, Caruso pretty much took over this game. It wasn’t just the defensive value that Caruso brought to the table for the Bulls either. He also scored 16 points off the bench on 6-of-7 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Getting 16 points from just even field goal attempts off the bench is incredible production and efficiency.

All of the value that the Bulls are getting on both ends of the floor out of the most notable new additions to the backcourt rotation from the offseason is insane. Between Caruso and point guard Lonzo Ball, the Bulls are getting more than four steals per game and a steal percentage of seven.

This obviously means that the Bulls are getting steals on seven percent of eligible possessions where Caruso and/or Lonzo are on the floor. That is pretty insane when you think about it.

Caruso’s six steals and 16 points off the bench for the Bulls helped lead the team to a 117-107 win over the Mavs on Nov. 10. The 8-3 Bulls will next take on the Golden State Warriors in a huge road matchup on Nov. 12.