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Bulls Pace Stat Shows Why Chicago’s Fast Start Is A Trap
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- Bulls Pace Stat Shows Why Chicago’s Fast Start Is A Trap
Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Chicago is running the fastest in the league, and it is hurting them. The Bulls lead the NBA with a pace of 105.6, which means Atlanta takes more shots than anyone else. They have lost five straight games, extending a rough start to the season. Their strategy to tire out opponents is failing because they cannot keep the ball. The team is averaging 112.6 points, which sits right in the middle of the pack.
Taking Too Many Risks
They turn the ball over 17.3 times per night, a number that is too high for any contender. These mistakes are costing them big points on the other end of the floor. Per Sports Illustrated , the Bulls are giving up 23.6 points off those turnovers, which is the second-most in the entire NBA. The front office wants an uptempo style, but the players are just rushing the ball up the court.
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Speed Without Control
The Bulls are trying to force the issue when they should be slowing down. Rookie Caleb Wilson scored 24 points in the loss to Philadelphia, but the team still could not stop the bleeding. The 76ers beat them 126-107 on Monday night, and the gap was clear. Tyrese Maxey led the winners with 26 points, showing how a team with better ball handlers can exploit the Bulls' chaos.
The Next Step
The schedule gets harder as the week goes on. The Bulls travel to face the Knicks on Wednesday night, a tough test for a team struggling with ball security.
