Exhibition openers are accompanied by questions, and only some of them got answered Thursday night in the Bulls’ 115-104 loss to Boston.
Who got the first start at point guard? Jamal Crawford.
Why is a game being played at Mohegan Sun Casino? To appease a Celtics sponsor and reward Connecticut fans who once got select regular-season games in Hartford.
Can the Bulls guard anybody? That’s one of the incomplete answers.
But improved defense, which is the team’s No. 1 priority in training camp, certainly didn’t seem consistently possible after a performance in which Boston shot 51.9 percent and scored 57 points by halftime.
“There are things we didn’t do defensively that I’m very concerned about,” coach Bill Cartwright said. “Offensively, we’re fine. But we didn’t help at all and they got too many shots in the paint.”
Paul Pierce scored 28 points in 23 minutes and Antoine Walker added 16 to lead Boston in the ragged, foul-filled game. The Celtics shot 53.8 percent from three-point range.
Another area of concern–the ability of Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler to avoid foul trouble as starters–got partially answered early when Chandler picked up two fouls in the first 3 minutes 13 seconds. He fouled out with 4 minutes 11 seconds remaining.
“It’s up to them when they play and how much they play,” Cartwright said. “Should we expect those guys to play 30 minutes this year? If they’re productive, certainly we’d like to.”
Curry tallied 21 points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes to lead the Bulls, who played without Jalen Rose, Eddie Robinson and Donyell Marshall. Marcus Fizer played only six minutes after straining his groin late in the first quarter.
Cartwright said not to read too much into Crawford’s start, which came in part because Jay Williams is slowed by a bruised left shin. The coach wouldn’t say who would start Friday against Toronto.
“They’re both doing a really nice job,” Cartwright said. “I’m pleased with how they’re working. They’re both shooting well. They’re both playing how they play.”
Williams entered with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter and finished with 11 points and one assist in 22 minutes. Crawford had 13 points, two assists and no turnovers in 26 minutes.
“Starting wasn’t as important as everybody thinks it was, but I just don’t want to take any steps backward as a player,” Crawford said. “I played OK. There were a couple of open shots that I know I’ll make the next time.”
Cartwright started Fred Hoiberg at shooting guard and Trenton Hassell at small forward. Hoiberg had a solid game with 18 points in 34 minutes.
Layups: Marshall’s absence disappointed many of the 8,024 in attendance who had come to cheer the former UConn star. . . . Chandler is happy that Charles Oakley appears ready to sign with the Wizards. “He helped me a lot last year,” Chandler said. “He can help them.”
