Feb. 23--E'Twaun Moore likes talking about himself about as much as he enjoys missing shots.
Since he has been doing little of the latter, the unheralded Bulls guard is having to endure more of the former.
Since entering the starting lineup 11 games ago because of injuries and Tony Snell's ineffectiveness, Moore is averaging 12.1 points on 48.6 percent shooting, including 50 percent from 3-point range. He's also averaging 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists while playing his typically solid and physical defense.
"I've always been confident," Moore said. "I know I'm capable of playing well. It's not really a surprise. And I don't think it's a surprise to my teammates either. They see how hard I work and they've got faith in me. It's no big deal to me."
Moore's first start came Jan. 28 in Los Angeles against the Lakers after he missed his only game to injury, a sore hamstring. He said that issue contributed to his missing seven of his next eight 3-point attempts.
Since then, Moore -- who didn't play by coach Fred Hoiberg's decision in 10 early games -- has shot a sizzling 16-for-26 from beyond the arc.
"E'Twaun is catching and shooting now," said Derrick Rose, whose association with Moore goes back to being AAU opponents. "I always love a player like that because the way they're playing me, everyone is keying in on me, sagged in, making sure I don't get in the lane. Having a player like that who is able to knock down those shots spreads the floor.
"He's very solid. We don't take him for granted at all."
Passing fancy: The Bulls followed their season-high-tying 32 assists against the Raptors with 30 against the Lakers. This followed a mere 12 assists in last week's loss to the Cavaliers, one off their season low.
"Cleveland took us out of a lot of things," Hoiberg said. "Guys are making quick decisions. We're not holding the ball as much."
