Identifying the issue has been easy.
The players know it; the coaching staff knows it. Anyone with a pulse who has watched a Bulls game this season was aware of the problem.
Fixing it?
There’s the rub.
Digging a big first-half hole only to have to claw and scratch their way back might be good reality TV — like the 21-point comeback against Miami on Saturday — but it’s not a sustainable way to play at the NBA level if winning is the goal.
But the Bulls were at it again Monday. Lifeless at the tipoff, they fell behind by 10 in the first 2:30, but this time, they were unable to march their way back late and fell 118-100.
“The feeling we all have when we look up [at the scoreboard] and you see that, it’s definitely frustrating, embarrassing,’’ forward DeMar DeRozan said of the bad habit that won’t go away. “It’s on us. We just have to stop it. We’ve just got to take it out of our mind that we’ve put ourselves in that situation so many times and just go out and play.’’
In DeRozan’s estimation, that’s exactly what it is — mental.
Despite coach Billy Donovan showing film again before the Heat game on when it looks right compared to when they’re playing wrong, they still can’t get out of their own way in the first half.
“There’s gotta be more thrust and more force [at the start], and that’s how we’ve been able to score in second halves,’’ Donovan said. “Some of it is offensively and getting stops to run, but when you’re — I don’t want to say we’re having bad possessions — but when you’re missing shots like that in the first quarter, the first half you’re in transition all the time defensively, and that’s a tough way to live.’’
That style of play was on display in the second game of a two-game homestand against the Heat.
The Bulls (5-10) made the occasional run, cutting the Miami lead to two several times, but there were few real answers, especially in defending the long ball and sharpshooter Duncan Robinson. Even Donovan admitted there were several blown defensive assignments on Robinson, leading to his 22 points on 6-for-9 shooting from three-point range.
While Miami (9-5) shot 48.6% from three-point range, the Bulls went 11-for-37 (29.7%).
Coby White led the Bulls with 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting, but every Bulls starter was a minus, including Zach LaVine’s team-high minus-24.
Windy City visit
Donovan made the trip out to Hoffman Estates to watch rookie Julian Phillips play for the organization’s G League team and liked what he saw from the former Tennessee forward.
Phillips scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the win, while shooting 3-for-6 from three-point range.
“I think he’s going to be a good player,’’ Donovan said. “I’m excited with the growth he’s made.
‘‘I do think he needs these opportunities to play. I think his shooting will only get better, his skills will only get better.’’
More Miami
The Bulls spent the last week hosting both Florida teams for four games, but they’re about to get another dose of “Heat Culture” sooner rather than later.
In mid-December, the Bulls will play the Heat two more times, traveling to Miami for games on Thursday and Saturday.
