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Chicago Bulls: Observations From Loss To Wizards

By James D. Tillman III

Feb 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with forward Taj Gibson (22) during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with forward Taj Gibson (22) during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) drive to the basket as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. Washington defeated Chicago 117-96. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) drive to the basket as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. Washington defeated Chicago 117-96. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Poor Transition Defense

One of the points of emphasis that Fred Hoiberg stressed coming into this matchup was getting back in transition.

How did the Bulls fare in this area?

In a word: badly. They gave up 32 points in the opening quarter with eight of those points coming by way of the fast break. The Wizards would go on to tally 25 fast-break points for the game, something that was not lost on Doug McDermott.

"“We knew it was coming,’’ Doug McDermott said via the Chicago Sun-Times. “We just weren’t able to execute it. That’s on us, not on [Hoiberg]. Every game is like a playoff game for us right now. They’re all so important. We gotta come out with urgency. We didn’t do that [Wednesday night]. That’s on us.’’"

Needless to say, unless the Bulls find a way to respond to Hoiberg over the final 16 games, their seven-year streak of postseason play will come to an abrupt halt.

Next: Defense Woes

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