Chicago Bulls: 5 early positives from 2017-18 NBA season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 6: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket against the Chicago Bulls on December 6, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images /

4. Not every loss has been a total disaster

As it was mentioned earlier, yes, the Bulls have dropped 20 of their first 23 games. Yes, they have been beaten by as many as 39 and 49 points. And although their average margin of defeat is 14.4 points, not every one of those losses has been a complete abomination.

For example, in a road game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 21, the Bulls were on the wrong end of a 103-94 loss. The one factor that may have been forgotten from that contest is the fact the Bulls got to a 14-point advantage at the break and led by as many as 19 points before the wheels fell off the wagon.

Another recent example of an encouraging performance took place on Dec. 6 against the Pacers. Early on, the Bulls’ offense was in high gear as they converted nearly 50 percent of their attempts from 3-point range en route to a 55-39 lead at the break and a 14-point advantage heading into the final frame.

Unfortunately, the Bulls were outscored 19-4 over the final seven minutes and suffered a heartbreaking 98-96 loss, their 10th straight defeat. Even though the final margin of their recent setback was just two points, a loss is still a loss.

At the same time though, this young Bulls team can take moral victories from these kinds of games, especially since it appears they won’t be racking up that many wins this season.

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