From a talent disparity alone, the Bulls projected to be victory-challenged this season.
Add in player absences and slow starts, and it equals what they currently own: a five-game losing streak and non-competitive losses accumulating in a hurry.
“When you dig yourself a 20-point hole in that first quarter, which has happened the last two games, you’re not giving yourself much of a chance, especially on the road,” coach Fred Hoiberg said.
He forgot the opponents, the Spurs and Thunder. Regardless, poor first quarters are hurting the Bulls.
To clarify, Wednesday’s was historically poor. Seven points marked the lowest-scoring opening period in franchise history.
The return of Justin Holiday, who missed the Thunder debacle for the birth of his first child, should help. So too should Zach LaVine, who is scheduled to be cleared for contact practices next week and is eyeing a mid- to late-December return from his left ACL surgery and rehab.
But to show how fluid the Bulls’ fortunes are these days, Hoiberg said Thursday’s practice, which followed a lengthy film session and meeting, would help determine who starts alongside Holiday, Lauri Markkanen and Robin Lopez.
Kris Dunn and Jerian Grant both struggled in Dunn’s first start alongside Grant, who was benched for Denzel Valentine to open the second half.
“We’re struggling right now,” Hoiberg said. “We have to find a way to get our point guards making plays. If our shots aren’t going, we have to get into the paint and make the right play.”
The Bulls committed 14 first-half turnovers against the Thunder. Though they had just three after halftime, the early miscues not only led to transition baskets but troubling behavior.
“We hang our heads when things aren’t going great out there — that’s the one common thing,” Hoiberg said. “Instead of finding a way to fight through it, we’re shutting down a little bit. That has to change.”
The ball movement that defined the majority of the preseason has gone stagnant. Shot-clock violations aren’t uncommon these days. The Bulls even had one after a timeout against the Thunder.
Following Wednesday’s game, the Bulls ranked last — by a wide margin — in offensive rating, scoring just 92.9 points per 100 possessions. They also ranked last in pace and scoring.
“I just think we need to continue to do what we’ve been working on all year, continue to take the (good) shots we’re going to take,” Holiday said. “Try to move the ball a little better, move our bodies better. I think at times we do get stagnant, especially in that first quarter.”
Holiday conceded that the team’s struggles could be a mental hurdle at this point. The Bulls haven’t outscored their opponent in the first quarter since Nov. 4, the overtime loss to the Pelicans that began this five-game skid.
Markkanen was the only starter to score a first-quarter field goal in Oklahoma City. The Bulls had more turnovers than points, eight to seven. Those are some sobering statistics.
“These guys want to win,” Holiday said. “Teams sometimes take losses and guys (who) are there figure it out, learn together, grow together and end up being successful. Hopefully that can happen here.”
Twitter @kcjhoop
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