March 29--The Bulls improved to 45-29 with their home victory over the Knicks. Here are three observations.
Jimmy Butler is on an efficient offensive roll.
The All-Star guard followed posting 23 points on just eight shots in Toronto with 18 points on nine shots against the Knicks. Obviously, the common denominator is free-throw attempts. Butler has shot 15-for-17 from the line in those two games.
Though Butler wasn't as efficient in his first game back from missing three weeks to a left elbow injury, taking 20 shots against the Hornets, he got to the line 10 times in that game too.
"He's our leading scorer and doesn't take a lot of shots," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He runs the floor, gets to the line, moves without the ball, can play in the post, can play pick-and-roll, can play catch-and-shoot. He understands how plays are being defended and plays off people well."
Is that all?
The Bulls are high-assist and low-turnover lately.
This is the optimum offensive combination, and one that Thibodeau stresses often. The Bulls committed 14 turnovers against the Knicks, though six came in the fourth quarter of garbage time. Though it snapped their longest streak with 12 or fewer turnovers in 18 years at seven games, 14 is still a solid number.
"We want 13 or less; that is something we strive for," Thibodeau said. "We feel if we do that you have a good chance at winning."
The Knicks are really, really bad.
Breaking news, right? The Knicks, under first-year president Phil Jackson and first-year coach Derek Fisher, set a franchise record with their 60th loss.
Pau Gasol, who won two championships with both with the Lakers, feels for them.
"I know it must be a struggle for someone who has been such a successful player for so many years," Gasol said. "Same thing for Phil and the assistant coaching staff and some of the players. I'm sure things will get better as they move forward. But right now, obviously, it's tough."
