PridGeon Points: Bulls Execute, Draw Series Even Heading Back Home
Behind 41 from DeMar DeRozan, Chicago has dreams of taking series control in front of a loud United Center
1.) DeMar-velous DeRozan
To say DeRozan was ridiculous would be an understatement, he was a scheme-buster last night as Coach Budenholzer tried everything from deploying multiple different defenders on him, cross-matching with the Bulls screen setters to manipulate matchups with Giannis that he thought would work, to even putting two on DeMar in pick and roll, to which DeRozan was apt in responding to time and time again.
This is the point in each game where the Bulls can continue to give themselves a chance in the end. They have two players in DeRozan and LaVine that can take an oppositions game plan and rip it to shreds with consistent tough shot-making. Even more-so in DeRozans case because he excels in the midrange, the great equalizer.
His 41, including 24 in the second half (14 in the third), was a display of scoring that only a few players in the league can match.
Add to that it coming on the road and that number shrinks more. It was one of the absolute best games of his career, and he showed resolve to do whatever it took for the win, including using his prowess as a scorer for the betterment of the team.
A little thing like inviting the double for the rest of the team to play with an advantage behind the double exemplified just how in-tune he was, and how locked in both Donovan and the Bulls as a whole were to the in-game adjustments made.
2.) Billy Donovan’s ATOs
Speaking to Donovan and his decision-making, he called a very clean game in terms of the rotation adjustments, tactic adjustments, and play calling out of timeouts at important junctures of the game.
The rotation was solid and adjusted as the game progressed to have the players that the moment called for, properly positioned and on the floor.
As for tactics, I spoke at length about them needing to tweak their double-teaming to no concede so many wide-open weakside opportunities for the Bucks, and he did so by going away from the trapping from the baseline and even from one pass away on Giannis’ catches, and pivoted to trapping from one pass away but on the dribble.
That, in turn, disrupts Giannis’ playmaking ability out of the trap and also stagnates his rhythm with reads. More adjustments will be needed in that for game three, but they served their purposes in game two for sure.
Regarding ATOs (after timeout plays), he took full advantage of the hand tipped by Budenholzer and company, and flipped that knowledge into advantageous situations for his guys time and time again. He won the coaching chess match last night.
Then did so again here:
He was excellent from the sidelines in a “got to have it” game. Great time on task.
3.) Drop Coverage Demolition
The Bulls were so proficient in exploiting the weaknesses of “drop coverage” from the Bucks in the pick and roll that they had to toy with coverages in trapping and keeping their guys at the level, or even switching, which they can do, but they were forced to rather than doing so on their own terms.
In that, Vucevic was able to dominate on the short-roll as he attacked, and displayed his all-around game in playmaking too.
He was a scheme-buster too in his consistency and dominance early, matching his 12-point efforts of the second-half with the same in the first.
He hit from the spots of emphasis above the break, then got to his spots underneath for his patented array of soft-touch finishes. It was a great display of shot selection from him.
4.) The Caru-Show
Alex Caruso is the unsung hero of last night. He finished the game a +16, and it was well-earned and should come as no surprise.
He was everywhere, all at once, and did an excellent job pushing pace after Bulls stops which allows them to break the game open early, setting a tone for the duration.
Last night was really a master class from him in defense. On-ball, off-ball, in “mismatches”, scouting report discipline, anticipatory maneuvering based on knowing tendencies, even having guys switch in the fly to thwart “hunting” from the Bucks offensive attack.
He's a wizard defensively, with the acumen to help neutralize possessions.
Nightly Notable: 10 assists for Caruso
Speaking of Caruso, his floor game as a playmaker was on point (no pun intended, lol) last night. He amassed 10 assists and did so in a variety of ways setting the table in the halfcourt, going off-script, hit aheads in transition, and making passes that create offense. He was a calming presense in the somewhat unnatural position of setting the table.
What's Next?
Game 3 is Friday night at 7:30pm.
The Madhouse on Madison will be rocking, as it will be the first Bulls home playoff game in five years.
A series knotted up at 1-1, the Bulls will look to double up on the series momentum and jump ahead with another home game to follow.
Check out my game thread on Twitter for Game 2 below: