The Bulls needed a no-excuses Saturday.
No more talk about moral victories. No concerns about who was available to play and who was ailing. No dwelling on development versus winning.
They got just what they wanted in a 116-81 beatdown of the Hawks at the United Center.
The Hawks came to town with only six victories and were missing their best player with point guard Trae Young out with an ankle injury.
The Bulls responded with the rout they should have.
‘‘We talked about it that we don’t care who was playing,’’ said forward Lauri Markkanen, who led six Bulls in double figures with 25 points. ‘‘We just had to play harder than them. I think we got off to a good start, then [at halftime] we talked about how we’ve given up leads this year, so just try and stay away from that.’’
Should the rest of the Eastern Conference be concerned about the Bulls? Absolutely not.
But the fact that the Bulls (13-20) have won five of their last eight games is something, especially for coach Jim Boylen.
Through the all criticism he has received this season — some earned, some just thrown his way because of the disdain for the Bulls’ front office — Boylen has remained consistent with how he’s handling things.
That means preaching the idea of coaching up weaknesses and making it a point to stay in constant contact with his bosses, so that everyone is on the same page.
Boylen again was asked about his frequent talks with vice president of basketball operations John Paxson and whether the two were still in sync with the individual development of each player.
‘‘We talk about individual development of each guy, what we hope they can improve on and grow with,’’ Boylen said. ‘‘We are committed to our style of play. . . . John and I have discussed those.’’
Talking about it is one thing, but executing it has been a problem for these Bulls.
On Saturday, however, that wasn’t the case. The Bulls dominated the Hawks right from the opening tip.
In outscoring the Hawks 35-19 in the first quarter, the Bulls outrebounded them 16-4 and held them to 9-for-23 shooting, including 1-for-8 from three-point range.
The Bulls’ offense, meanwhile, shot 70 percent in the first quarter, including 4-for-6 from three-point range.
Markkanen, who was battling the flu all week, led them with 10 points in the quarter, and all five starters were at least a plus-12 in the plus/minus category.
It was a basketball clinic all the way.
‘‘We talked about that before the game and talked about it at halftime that we’ve been here before and we needed to go take care of business,’’ Boylen said. ‘‘I’m really proud of our guys. I think they’re growing. I think they’re understanding how important every possession is.’’
The lone highlight for the Hawks was the standing ovation for Vince Carter, 42, who is retiring after the season and played his last game at the United Center.
‘‘I just want to thank him for what he’s done for the league, what he’s done for all of us,’’ Boylen said of Carter. ‘‘His play, his class, his style, he’s helped the league and he’s helped us all provide for our families. So it was pretty cool to see him.’’
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December 29, 2019 at 11:06AM
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Bulls finally do what they’re supposed to do to a less talented team - Chicago Sun-Times
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