March 18--The Bulls improved to 34-33 with their home victory over the Nets. Here are three observations:
Doug McDermott is playing like a lottery pick
That's three straight 20-point-plus games for McDermott, who managed just two in his first 99 career games. More importantly, he's impacting games.
For the second straight he produced instant offense with double-digit points in his first stint. And against the Nets, he closed strong with 10 of hi 25 points in the fourth after the Bulls got lax with a 24-point lead.
"Doug is playing with the utmost confidence in the world right now," Taj Gibson said. "I'm happy for him because when he lets the game come to him, when he attacks the game, he is amazing. I tell him, 'Nobody can really stop you. You can do it all.' It's all about believing in yourself and he's believing in himself."
Bobby Portis has a short memory
One night after struggling defensively in Washington, the first-round pick looked much more active and in position. His double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds helped spear a strong reserve effort and allowed the Bulls to win the rebounding battle against the Nets.
After one basket, Portis flexed to the crowd. He doesn't lack for confidence.
"Bobby, I always praise him because he's the future," said Gibson, fast becoming an elder spokesman for the team. "I like how Bobby comes prepared and goes out there and proves he should have been an early round (draft) pick. He plays with that chip on his shoulder."
Thumbs up to ball security. Thumbs down to transition defense.
The Bulls committed just nine turnovers, the second time in three games they finished in single digits. But once again, they struggled with transition defense.
The Nets scored only 12 fast-break points. But the Bulls had trouble matching up in transition, leading to quick swings and 3-point shots in halfcourt offense during the Nets' fourth-quarter comeback.
Getting back and matching up has been a recurring issue for the Bulls of late.
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