Jan. 09--Pau Gasol is on quite the roll.
With four double-doubles in his last five games, he's up to 19 for the season, tied with the Wizards' John Wall for fifth-most in the NBA, 11 behind leader Andre Drummond of the Pistons.
Gasol also is averaging a career-high 2.3 blocks. And while his less-than-mobile, pick-and-roll defense has drawn warranted criticism this season, his rim protection has been one factor in the Bulls leading the league in opponents field-goal percentage.
"Pau has been unbelievable," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "I talk about Pau's basketball IQ all the time. I truly think he's one of the smartest players in this league. He's always coming over and giving suggestions on what we can do. He's underrated defensively. He's really good at changing people's shots."
Hoiberg constantly preaches playing with pace, but Gasol remains vital for his pick-and-pop ability.
"A little bit in the beginning," Gasol said, when asked if Hoiberg's offense proved an adjustment for him. "But now more and more we're going to actions that worked for us last year. So it's just a balance, recognizing where our players can be most effective.
"We have tough guards to cover. They attract attention. So if they take their penetration away, then you have me popping to punish you from outside. We got to a point where we recognize actions that work for us. Not so much of a specific offense that we're running. It's just specific actions adjusting to the talents of our personnel."
For starters: The Bulls are 11-5 since Hoiberg inserted Taj Gibson as the starter at power forward. Gibson's averages of 8.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks belie his overall impact.
Hoiberg has called Gibson's ability to run the floor and drag at least one defender with him critical in the Bulls' recent offensive surge. The Bulls have scored more than 100 points in nine straight games for the first time since December 1995, early in their NBA-record 72-10 season.
"Taj is a guy who competes and doesn't need a lot of shots," Gasol said. "It's obviously working."
Layups: The Bulls didn't practice Friday before flying to Atlanta. Joakim Noah will miss his ninth consecutive game with his left shoulder injury but is on track to return next week. ... Jimmy Butler is averaging a career-high 4.1 assists.
