Nov. 21--SACRAMENTO -- The Bulls dropped to 8-4 following Thursday's 103-88 loss to the Kings. Here are three observations:
Recently, the Bulls haven't played well in Sacramento.
That's three straight double-digit losses to the Kings on their home floor, although at least Thursday's was "only" by 15. The previous two seasons produced losses of 42 and 29 points. Ouch.
"They're a good team; they play hard at home," Joakim Noah said. "They're starting to build something. Defensively, they are better. DeMarcus (Cousins) is better. You can tell there's been a lot of growing on his side as a player. He is playing more efficiently. I feel sometimes he gets frustrated and that works in our favor. I feel this year, he's the one getting guys frustrated and it's worked for them."
Noah acknowledged the fine line between intensity and ineffectiveness.
Noah almost melted down for the second straight season here. He drew a technical foul after getting whistled for his fifth foul reaching in on Cousins just over midway through the third quarter. Last season, he famously got ejected and later fined $15,000 for directing profanity at each official as he left the court.
"I think I just have to calm down a little bit in those frustrating situations," Noah said. "Ticky-tack foul, you know? Frustration is part of the game. I have to control my emotions the best way possible. I'm an emotional player but I want to win the game so I have to be smarter. Learn from my mistakes."
In a broken record refrain, the injuries are starting to pile up.
Kirk Hinrich left the game with a chest contusion. X-rays were negative, but Hinrich was very sore afterward, leaving his availability for Friday's game in Portland seriously in doubt. Derrick Rose also is unlikely to play as the Bulls continue to be conservative with his strained left hamstring. Pau Gasol is questionable with his strained left calf.
Anyone ready for lots of Aaron Brooks? Is E'Twaun Moore a point or shooting guard? Could Jimmy Butler play some point guard?
These are the questions for the Bulls as they head into Portland, where they have lost six straight and lost Rose for the season a year ago Saturday. Noah didn't even want to talk about that.
