Pacers 103, Bulls 101: Disappointing losses begin to stack as losing streak hits three

Even after two ugly, dispiriting losses, the Chicago Bulls couldn’t get back in the win column, falling to the Indiana Pacers, 103-101.

Coby White (calf) was held out on the second night of a back-to-back as he continues to get himself into peak form following his extended absence. According to Billy Donovan via KC Johnson, this is the last time White will miss part of a back-to-back with this injury.

That meant this was the eighth different starting lineup for the Bulls with Kevin Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Nikola Vucevic.

Jalen Smith (hamstring), Julian Phillips (illness), Isaac Okoro (lumbar), and Dalen Terry (calf) were also on the shelf. As a result of all the injuries, Bulls two-way players Lachlan Olbrich and Emmanuel Miller got their first run of the season with the big club.

Despite their 3-14 record, the Pacers have started to play better of late as they’ve gotten bodies back into their rotation. Over their last seven games, they’ve won two of their last five, with their three losses coming to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors, three of the East’s top teams, by a combined 18 points.

Still, this was a disappointing loss. Despite the injuries, and playing on the second night of a back-to-back (both teams were), the Bulls lacked the effort, tempo and attention to detail defensively required to get them a win.

This was the Bulls’ third-straight loss, all to teams competing for lottery balls. They fall to 9-10, tenth in the East.

Up next: The Bulls wrap up a three-in-four road trip against the Orlando Magic on Monday night.

Tune into the CHGO Bulls postgame live show.

The Pacers opened the game with 14 straight points from starting center Jay Huff on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting.

The Bulls have always struggled defending against stretch bigs. The way they defend ball screen actions, Vucevic has to be up to the level of the screen to prevent the ball handler from deep penetration while also keeping close to the popping big.

On this possession, Pacers’ guard Andrew Nembhard does well to play patiently, taking an additional dribble into the paint to pull Vucevic away from Huff.

On this possession, the Bulls try to switch the screening action as Bennedict Mathurin gets middle. Buzelis stunts to try to deter a shot, but can’t leave Pascal Siakam alone in the strong side corner. Huerter tries to recover on the switch, but gets there late, and Huff’s release is unaffected.

On this third possession, Pascal Siakam gets the ball in the post early on the shot clock. Huff, defended by Vucevic, is one pass away and is responsible for digging down to try to force Siakam to get off the ball. He comes to double, and the rotation from Buzelis is too late to affect the shot.

The Bulls got these actions under control eventually. Huff was quiet following his early outburst. But these are great examples of all the moving parts associated with executing a defensive scheme. It’s not just one person’s responsibility to shut down the guy he’s guarding. Everyone needs to be on a string, aware of not only their own man, but their help responsibilities.

— Will Gottlieb

Welp, we got our first Miller and Olbrich minutes of the season on another shorthanded night for the Bulls. Miller made much better use of his limited minutes than Patrick Williams did with his.

…This is my shocked face.

The Aussie Chapter of Bulls Nation has been screaming about the Bulls needing to use Olbrich, especially given the team’s depth issues in the frontcourt. I wasn’t convinced he was ready after watching him out in Vegas for Summer League. That three he took early in the fourth quarter was atrocious. But I’ll give him this: he moves a LOT for a big man, and sets some quality screens. We’ll see if he can prove more than that if given more opportunities.

Speaking of the Aussies, Giddey had some nice drives to the hoop tonight. He’s not beating many NBA players off the dribble with quickness, but he’s finding ways to use his body and crafty steps to get to the rim. Kudos deserved.

Dosunmu for Mayor. This dude might be the one guy on this team who gives his all on every possession. Both ends of the floor. And he’s having a wildly efficient shooting season so far, which you love to see after his three-point shooting fell hard last season.

— Matt Peck

My God, another game like this?!? WTF is going on?!?

Giddey has been incredibly consistent. He has been the engine for the Bulls. Scoring, rebounding, assisting and showing great effort. He’s done all of these things for this team and he deserves praise for it.

Patrick Lee Williams is ass. The whole ass. And nothing but ass, just truly a terrible performance by him, and what makes it worse is it’s common. ASS.

Get Emmanuel Miller more playing time. I think he’s earned it with his performance tonight. His competency definitely shows, along with his three-point shooting.

The way the Bulls have been playing down to the competition is just maddening. I wish I had more words for it.

Williams is Ass.

— Big Dave