Back to Winning

To say this has been a trying period for the Bulls is an understatement.  Until they get completely healthy again, they just have to press on.  This they did Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers having just lost five of six.  And they won 103-86.

Everything seemed to flow well for most of it even though each starter played no fewer than 27 minutes.  Some good-paced offense, strong rebounding and second chances allowed everything to fall into place.  Even after the Pacers made a third-quarter run by forcing the Bulls into foul trouble and converting off turnovers, they couldn't complete the comeback.  It came down to who could make more shots in the clutch and the Bulls were that team.

Nikola Mirotic came off the bench to lead all scorers with 25 points and come within one rebound of a double-double.  He had quite the second half and the Pacers were unable to find an answer for him.  Mike Dunleavy hit five 3-pointers in the first half before cooling off and finishing with 21.  That particular spark was what the Bulls missed when he was injured, but now, he's providing it when his team needs it even more.

Pau Gasol had his latest double-double of 19 and 12, hitting a corner 3-pointer late to seal the game.  Tony Snell, still acting as a substitute starter, continues to grow as an NBA player thanks to a 14-point, eight-rebound outing.  Aaron Brooks scored 13 and made all seven of his free throws.  Joakim Noah grabbed 14 boards and this time, was allowed to finish the game (whether that was due to Tom Thibodeau's management or getting into foul trouble is unclear).

In what has a been a tumultuous stretch for the Bulls, it's nice to see a game free of much tension.  Lately, the fan base has been gritting its collective teeth with frustration.  The cards have been stacked against this team and very little can be done right now.  This win was needed to keep the sanity for the time being.

This could also be called treading water, which is exactly what the Bulls should be doing.  They've relaxed a little too much in many games this year and to be stripped almost to the core has to wake them up sometime.  Whether this game represented the turning point they needed for March is not yet clear, but it's nice to keep the critics at bay for one night. 

Those critics include Gar Forman and John Paxson, who apparently have no good relationship with Thibodeau left.  There was no issue with Noah's minutes or anybody else here.  The more games everything goes right, the more there can be peace among the powers that be.

The Bulls will have a day off before getting back to action Friday against the Toronto Raptors.  Although the team to the North has done well for itself, the sentiment is it doesn't have a whole lot of signature wins.  Hopefully, the Bulls won't allow this game to be one of them.

On Tuesday, Phil Jackson tweeted out the sad news that former Bull Jack Haley died at the age of 51.  Haley, as you may know, barely played on the 1995-96 championship team, but was signed to keep Dennis Rodman sane.  It was difficult not to notice him celebrating on the bench in his suit during many of those games.  My thoughts and prayers to Jack's family during this difficult time.