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Bulls Lack Size Against Nuggets As Preseason Gaps Widen
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- Bulls Lack Size Against Nuggets As Preseason Gaps Widen
The Chicago Bulls lost to the Denver Nuggets 133-128 on Sunday night, and the final score tells a simple story about size. While Leonard Miller scored 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting, the team could not match the physical presence of Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. The Bulls are missing nearly 21 feet of potential rim protection right now, and that gap showed up clearly in the loss at Ball Arena.
Coach Tiago Splitter has a fast-paced philosophy that requires running up and down the court, but he cannot run without big men to anchor the defense. The team is currently without Nic Claxton due to a hamstring issue and Zach Collins because of a sore quadriceps, according to the Chicago Tribune . Jalen Smith aggravated a foot injury before the game against Memphis but returned for this matchup, yet the depth remains thin. Tobe Awaka was also ruled out with a sore knee, leaving the rotation dangerously short.
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The Roster Gap Is Real
Matas Buzelis noticed the change in roster makeup during camp, but the reality on the court is different. He noted the team has "a lot of fours, guys that can make plays, athleticism" that helps on defense, but the Nuggets proved that height still matters. In under 27 minutes, a 7-foot-1 Jokic scored 22 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished 10 assists, proving comfort fails to halt him.
Splitter knows the minutes must be managed carefully to keep his big men healthy for the regular season. He stated, "We've got to be careful with their minutes throughout the season," regarding the centers. The coach admitted the league plays physical and fast, meaning seven-footers cannot play 35 minutes. This forces a three-man rotation at the five position, which is risky when two of those men are already nursing injuries.
Young Players Step Up
Despite the size disadvantage, rookie Caleb Wilson showed he can play multiple roles. He finished with 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, though he struggled from deep early in the game. Wilson made his first three-pointer just as the clock expired at the end of the first half, earning a pat on the chest from Aaron Gordon. When asked if he would play as a three, four, or five, Wilson said, "The game is really transitioning right now so I don't want to box myself into a role." He settled on being a three for now but remains open to filling any gap.
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Leonard Miller was the bright spot off the bench, proving he is no longer just a camp body. He scored 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds in just 22 minutes. The Bulls made 21 of 50 three-pointers as a team, with Buddy Hield hitting four from deep and Jalen Smith adding three in his return. However, the lack of size in the paint allowed Denver to control the glass and the pace when their starters were on the floor.
The Bulls must get their injured big men back on the court before the season opener on Oct. 21. Collins could return by then, and Claxton should be close behind. Until then, the team relies on versatility and speed to survive, but Sunday's loss showed that speed alone cannot beat a team with that much size and talent in the middle.
