Chicago Bulls: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 preseason

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 13: Cristiano Felicio #6 of the Chicago Bulls grabs the rebound against the Toronto Raptors on October 13, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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3. Defense could be an issue

The Bulls didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard during Hoiberg’s second year at the helm, but they did play well from a defensive standpoint. They allowed 102.4 points per game, which was the sixth-best mark in the league. They also finished with a defensive rating 107.0 points per 100 possessions, placing them at sixth in this category.

During the preseason though, things have not gone smoothly at that end of the floor. For starters, the Bulls are currently ranked 25th in points allowed, giving up 109.2 points per contest. Opponents are shooting 46 percent from the field, placing them at No. 22 in this category. The Bulls are also yielding a 39 percent conversion rate from distance – good enough for the sixth-worst mark in the league.

This, along with the 24th-best defensive rating of 98.4, means this team has had its fair share of struggles to say the least. If the Bulls are going to have any measure of success this season, this is an area where they will need to show noticeable improvement.

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