DeMar DeRozan says the Chicago Bulls have got to find that connection on defense

As DeMar DeRozan so candidly put it, the Chicago Bulls did not play the 2016 Golden State Warriors. That team finished the regular season in record-breaking fashion, tallying 73 wins to shatter the previous record held by the 1996 Bulls. Instead, this Bulls squad took on the Minnesota Timberwolves—a team that did not even have its two best big men in All-Stars Karl Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.

Despite the seemingly easy matchup, the Bulls still had difficulty defending the Wolves and gave up a whopping 150 points in a 150-124 loss. It was an effort that DeRozan called "embarrassing" and not indicative of the identity that the team wants to cultivate as it looks to turn this season around.

Disconnect on defense

The disconnect is what DeRozan believes the Bulls have to fix to be competitive. There were far too many breakdowns that allowed the Wolves to get good looks and capitalize with easy baskets. DeRozan said it is not just about individual matchups but also finding a collective defense connection.

"Not being connected, not being one, not understanding what needs to be done collectively to help out each other defensively. Obviously, we scored enough points to win the game. But giving up 150 points is beyond embarrassing. We got to feel that. We got to feel low right now. We got to feel frustrated right now and try to understand why," said DeRozan.

The Bulls' disjointed defensive stand resulted in a scorching hot night from sensational wingman Anthony Edwards, who led the Wolves with 37 points and 11 assists.

In last night's 150-126 win over Chicago, @theantedwards_ finished with a season-high 37 points, 7 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists. He became the 3rd player in @Timberwolves history to have 35+ points/5+ rebounds/10+ assists in a game.

Full list: https://t.co/YYZ7PPOZpT pic.twitter.com/60ZVdbVOqf
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) December 19, 2022

Compete better

The Bulls must compete better to pick up victories in their next road games. The Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, and the New York Knicks await them, each possessing the offensive firepower to make them pay for lapses in concentration.

Game Day in South Beach 🌴

⏰ 6:30 pm CT
📺 @NBCSChicago
📻 @670TheScore pic.twitter.com/jgbFDddeR1
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 20, 2022

"Obviously, we've got to find that connection. What we need is that good moment to lean toward to make it that contagious feeling. Everybody means well, but because you mean well it doesn't mean you don't have to go out and compete and give it all you've got; we've got to step that part of it up," said DeRozan.