Pushing the ball and defending the length of the floor has been the mantra of Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan for some time.
It is a small sample size, but the newest edition of the Bulls has proven to be a quick study to the strategy. Chicago has produced a pair of season-opening victories and is out to continue its early run against the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
Seven Bulls players finished in double figures in scoring during Saturday’s 110-98 win at Orlando. The group effort is an ideal byproduct of sharing the ball after fighting to get it back on the defensive end.
“Our depth is something we will have to lean on all year, especially with the style of play that we have,” Chicago guard Tre Jones said. “We play extremely fast, especially when we are playing physical like we are (now). We are going to have to lean on everybody. We have a couple of guys down right now, so it is a next-man-up mentality.
“We continue to lean on each other.”
Jones is benefiting from increased early-season minutes as guard Coby White (right calf strain) recovers from a preseason injury. The absence of Bulls reserve center Zach Collins (left wrist fracture) has opened opportunities in the frontcourt.
Usual suspects Nikola Vucevic and Josh Giddey have provided steady scoring, with both averaging at least 20 points through two games. Vucevic is adding 11.0 rebounds per game.
Atlanta knows the impact of being short-handed to start the season. Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like symptoms), Zaccharie Risacher (right ankle sprain) and Jalen Johnson (right ankle sprain) each missed Saturday’s 117-100 home loss to the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Monday’s game marks the beginning of a four-game road trip for the Hawks, who won at Orlando on Friday around a pair of double-digit home defeats.
Six Hawks players scored in double figures Saturday, led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17 points) and Trae Young (15). Young is optimistic that the team’s consistency will grow alongside the comfort level of a youthful rotation.
“I think the positive experience some of these guys got to get with each other, and Mo (Gueye) gets more minutes and starting,” Young said. “I mean, Asa (Newell) coming out there still playing in his second real (NBA) game.
“I think really without those (rotation) guys, it’s hard to really judge us. But at the same time, we got games to play. It doesn’t matter and nobody cares. So, we got to keep playing.”
Vucevic has posted a double-double in seven of his past 10 games against the Hawks.
Atlanta has won two straight versus Chicago, but the Bulls hold a 141-122 edge in the all-time series.
Staying physical under the boards will be key, Donovan stressed. Entering NBA play on Sunday, the Bulls ranked third in the NBA with 104.5 points allowed per game.
“We’re competing, we’re putting our bodies in play,” he said. “We’re trying to get on the glass and rebound.”
