Bulls need to rediscover defensive identity against Pistons

The Chicago Bulls are looking to get back in the win column against the Detroit Pistons following a five-game skid.

The Chicago Bulls are in dire need of the win, following a season-worst five-game losing streak. In those five games, they have played four elite teams, the outlier being an underachieving Atlanta Hawks side. They have lost each game by an average of six points, the only blowout coming at the hands of MVP candidate Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.

As a result, the Bulls sit only a half-game ahead of Boston for fifth seed in the East and only one game ahead of Cleveland for sixth. The recent stretch of adversity has left more questions than answers for the players and coaches. Head coach Billy Donovan takes the blame for their recent play, saying that he has to better prepare the guys.

"“I have to be better,” Donovan said following their 121-106 loss to the Sixers. “I think it’s my responsibility for guys like Ayo, and Coby, even Zach, some of these guys who haven’t played in places that they want to play in this league, that there are certain things you can’t escape that you have to do.”"

Zach LaVine didn’t pull any punches, saying the team has to finish the season strong and stay together.

The Bulls need to rediscover their defensive form against the Pistons.

The Bulls have been without starting point guard Lonzo Ball and sixth man Alex Caruso for much of the second half of the season. Both guards provided elite defense and their absence has been noted as a primary reason for the team’s woes on that side of the ball. There’s been plenty of chatter about the Bulls defense expecting to improve once Ball and Caruso return. Both guards will have a heavy impact on the defense, but will not eliminate their defensive struggles.

Defense is a team effort. One or two players will not make up for each rotation. They can act as a band-aid, but will not heal those issues. The Bulls have a problem with finishing plays whether those two are on the court or not.

As the game progresses, LaVine and DeRozan – among other players – get caught ball watching and then their man often cuts to the basket for a layup or grabs a rebound to extend the possession.

In this clip, Kris Middleton used the screen with Giannis Antetokounmpo rolling down the middle. DeRozan and LaVine are in the paint as Antetokounmpo rolls. With the Greek Freak, there are two options once he’s in the paint: 1.) go for the steal and 2.) take the charge. LaVine was in the proper area to take Antetokounmpo. DeRozan should’ve either dropped down to take LaVine’s man on the box, or run out to his man on the perimeter, Grayson Allen.

Instead DeRozan over-helped, leaving Allen wide open on the wing. LaVine stayed still, leaving his man available for a lob. Antetokounmpo was fouled, which iced the game for the Bucks.

DeRozan and LaVine are not the only culprits in the Bulls’ poor defensive rotations. Ayo Dosunmu should’ve either taken Antetokounmpo or Thompson should’ve hedged to give Dosunmu time to recover. If they were blitzing, they didn’t trap Middleton hard enough.

These lapses has cost the Bulls down the stretch of games against elite teams. The margin for error is very slim against teams with just as much or more talent.

Fixing rotations is simple, and comes down to communication and playing the scout. Donovan touched on that much in his media availability, taking the blame in the lack of preparation. As far intensity and focus, though, that comes down to pride. There are too many instances where the Bulls allow blow-bys to the middle that collapse their defense.

The pride check can start Wednesday night in Detroit.

While the Bulls aren’t playing the 80s Pistons, they are playing a team with momentum. The Pistons have found a groove with Jerami Grant and Cade Cunningham. Pistons head coach Dwayne Casey has started to run the pick and roll with Cunningham and Grant with shooter on strong side.

Since the All-Star break, Detroit has been shooting 54% from the field, with 60% of their baskets come from assists. Their pace has gone down, and so have their turnovers. They are playing under control and together — Detroit is 5-2 since the break while riding a three-game winning streak.

They still do not have the top firepower the Bulls have. Chicago should be able to disrupt their pick and roll by deciding the hedge, blitz or switch. The Pistons have struggled with ball security all season, so turning up the ball pressure should allow for easy transition opportunities.

As a unit, the Bulls need to lock in on their rotations and ball pressure to prepare for a postseason run. No better opportunity than the present.