Bulls’ late-game weaknesses evident against Cavaliers

When the 57-year-old coach is fundamentally top three in the organization in setting up to take a charge, that’s an issue. But there are a few issues with this Bulls team late in games, and Billy Donovan would like them fixed sooner than later.

SHARE Bulls’ late-game weaknesses evident against Cavaliers
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell passes against Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu during Monday night’s game.

Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell passes against Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu during Monday night’s game.

Ron Schwane/AP

CLEVELAND — It was a textbook setup to draw a charge. The feet were dug in, the base was locked, the chest was out and the hands were showing.

But there was a catch: Coach Billy Donovan executed it, and it took place in the news conference after the game Monday against a stationary table.

No tables were injured during Donovan’s impromptu coaching clinic.

The Bulls, however, suffered some damage after watching a 21-point halftime lead turn into an improbable 145-134 overtime loss in which Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell scored 71 points, the most in the NBA since Kobe Bryant’s 81 in 2006.

To put what Mitchell did into historical context, his 71 points and 11 assists accounted for 99 of the Cavs’ points. Wilt Chamberlain accounted for 104 during his 100-point game in 1962.

And while the Bulls received no help from the referees, who missed a clear lane violation — the NBA acknowledged it Tuesday — that led to Mitchell’s put-back after a missed free throw that sent the game into overtime, the loss shined a spotlight on just how many warts this team has, especially at crunch time.

The problems start with an unwillingness to get physical. Donovan has been harping on it for two seasons, and the issue reared its ugly head in the second half against the Cavs. There just aren’t enough players in the rotation who are willing to dig in and absorb hard contact. That’s why his team fouls too much, and at the worst moments, Donovan says.

“We’ve got to get better from a physicality standpoint,’’ Donovan said. “When the ball is coming at the basket, we cannot slap and reach and try to deflect because we get a lot of those fouls. We’re going to have to go vertical, put our chest in plays or take charges and show our hands.’’

But there’s another reason the Bulls are 7-13 in games within five points with five minutes or less left and 5-10 in games within three points and 30 seconds or less left.

They’re becoming too predictable, especially when it comes down to final shots. It has been DeMar DeRozan or bust this season after his clutch prowess last season. Despite the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report finding that DeRozan was fouled in his last-second game-winning miss Saturday against the Cavs, the entire Cleveland team and coaching staff knew who was going to take the last shot.

Even in the loss Monday, DeRozan took the last-second prayer at the end of regulation.

DeRozan has been great in the clutch; just go back to last season, when he shot 50% in games within two points with less than 10 seconds left. Zach LaVine had his chance before DeRozan and shot 28.6% in those same circumstances in the 2020-21 season.

That doesn’t mean LaVine shouldn’t at least be getting some of those shots.

LaVine spoke about the clutch opportunities in Cleveland and, to his credit, showed why he remains a stand-up teammate.

“You give a guy like [DeRozan] the ball at the end of a game, you’re happy with the shot that he gets,’’ LaVine said. “That’s just the reality of it. But if I get that opportunity, I’m still Zach. I’m going to shoot the ball confidently and think that I’m going to win the game or make the right play for my team.’’

If he had one gripe, it was that predictability at the end of games. His vote was for the coaching staff to mix it up a bit more.

“We have to start figuring out how we can get some different actions in those situations,’’ LaVine said. “But I just want to win.’’

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