3-pointers: Breaking down the Bulls' defeat

Nov. 28--The Bulls fell to 9-5 following their 104-92 road loss to the Pacers. Here are three observations:

The offense, particularly in halfcourt execution, remains inconsistent

The Bulls managed just five fast-break points, which put the emphasis on halfcourt execution. Fred Hoiberg's preaching for pace isn't just about transition. It's about getting into halfcourt sets quicker, making quick decisions, getting ball reversal and taking a shot earlier in the 24-second clock.

Too often this season, that hasn't happened. The Bulls shot just 34.8 percent against the Pacers, often taking a jumper without getting the ball reversed to the other side.

"We have to keep working at it," a mostly tight-lipped Hoiberg said afterward.

The point guard depth is thinning to injury

Derrick Rose said his blurry vision still isn't gone. Aaron Brooks will miss his fourth straight game Monday with a strained left hamstring. And Kirk Hinrich exited the Pacers' game midway through the fourth quarter with a hip pointer. Ouch.

Hinrich has been playing well, too, knocking down 3-for-4 from 3-point range and scoring 11 points with two assists in 21 minutes, 38 seconds. There is no official word yet if Hinrich will miss time. But typically when he gets banged up, he misses some action.

That could place even more pressure on Rose, who is in just his second game back from missing two to a sprained left ankle.

Joakim Noah's role remains too small

The former first-team All-NBA center played just 18 minutes, 47 seconds, managing five rebounds with no points and no assists. That's six times in Noah's 13 games---he missed one to injury---that he has failed to score.

Noah needs to play more to regain his confidence, even if it's at the expense of Pau Gasol's minutes. Hoiberg seems clearly committed to starting Nikola Mirotic. So if the thought of trying Noah and Gasol in the lineup is off the table---an idea Hoiberg planned to use the game Noah missed---it's hard to keep two former All-Star centers happy.

But getting this little out of Noah isn't good for the team. It may be time to force feed him some minutes.