What we learned from Chicago Bulls' latest loss to Los Angeles Clippers
The Chicago Bulls have been struggling to build momentum lately. They followed their remarkable overtime win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday with a 126-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Here are two things worth discussing from the defeat, which dropped the Bulls to 32-35 on the season.
Lackluster defense
The Bulls tried their best to keep in step with the Clippers’ All-Star duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, but the truth is, it really didn’t matter who was guarding them.
George finished with 28 points, seven assists, five rebounds, a steal, and a block. He missed only one shot out of his 12 attempts and made six three-pointers. Kawhi, on the other hand, had 27 points, going 12-for-17 from the field.
"With his length and size, he's a hard guy to contest when he gets it going," Billy Donovan said of George. The Bulls’ coach knows PG’s game well, as the two worked together for a season on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"We tried to trap him. I thought he and Kawhi, even when they got off of it, we got hurt on some back sides on some 3s. Both of those guys' size, they have the ability to play over you," he added.
Torrey Craig was back as a starter
Torrey Craig began the season as the starting power forward but was soon replaced after seven games by Patrick Williams. However, Coby White’s absence due to a hip injury he suffered in the previous game opened up a spot for Craig to start again.
Craig made the most of his opportunity, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds in 27 minutes. He also was an effective floor spacer, making four of his seven three-point attempts. Furthermore, Craig's efforts in defending Leonard were solid, although they ultimately proved ineffective.
