After hiring an offensive guru to run the team, the Chicago Bulls won the game based off of two big defensive plays. The first being Pau Gasol’s big time block on Lebron James to keep the score 97-95 with just four seconds remaining in the game. Then came the big play: a Jimmy Butler steal to end the game giving Fred Hoiberg an undefeated record as an NBA head coach.
“We practice those late-game situations. Everyone knows who’s going to get the ball. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.” Jimmy Butler
“I was really happy with how we played with a defensive mindset. That’s a high-powered offensive team.” – Fred Hoiberg
“I was really happy with how we played with a defensive mindset. That’s a high-powered offensive team.” Derrick Rose on Pau Gasol
While it was a good instinctive play by Butler, he gives credit where credit is due. With a team that focuses heavily on their offense, it was refreshing to watch the Bulls shut down a high-powered offensive team as well. Through the help of a few savvy veterans, Hoiberg came out on top of the coaching duel with David Blatt.
Joakim Noah was diagnosed with a knee contusion and said he’ll do his best to play in front of his friends and family in Brooklyn, but his status remains unclear.
