MY ACCOUNT
Billy Donovan says the Chicago Bulls’ “margin for error is not great” after losing for a fourth straight game in the absence of several key players.
Without the likes of Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso, the Bulls were beaten 119-106 by the in-form Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.
Despite losing to the Grizzlies, the Boston Celtics, the Golden State Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets in successive games, Chicago are top of the Eastern Conference.
The Nets are now 27-15 for the season and have allowed an average of 127 points across those past four defeats, following a run of 14 wins from their previous 17.
And after committing 18 turnovers in an error-strewn performance against the Grizzlies, Donovan accepts an improvement is required.
“For us right now, our margin for error is not great,” he said. “Turnovers here, offensive rebound, a couple easy transition points – we’re going to have to eliminate those things.
“We’ve got to be really meticulous and good at taking care of the ball, defensive rebounding and getting back.”
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 24 points on 10 of 24 shooting, on top of his five assists, while Coby White finished with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.
While the shorthanded Bulls are going through a rough patch, White believes there could be long-term gains for his side.
“I feel like this is a chance for us to grow,” he said. “We’re getting the opportunity now.
“I feel like we’re just taking it day-by-day and trying to just grow and develop and get better for the team.”
The Grizzlies have won 12 of their last 13 games and are third in the West ahead of a four-game road trip that begins against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
“I thought our guys came out ready,” Memphis interim coach Darko Rajakovic said.
“I thought we did a really good job defensively. To be honest with you, I thought we were supposed to score even more.
“We missed a couple of chippies, a couple of open looks that we usually make.”
