For a Bulls team in dire need of a tough few weeks of training, there hasn’t been much relief in sight.

Thanks, NBA schedule.

That’s why Bulls coach Billy Donovan was eagerly waiting for the calendar to flip to December. As of now, there are only 10 games scheduled for this month, with two in-season tournament games likely to be added the week of December 8.

A very different sensation from that offered in November, the Bulls having played 16 games, including four consecutive.

Since late October, the Bulls have actually had fewer than a handful of actual practices, instead doing their thing in morning shootarounds and film sessions.

Memphis’ defeat on Saturday was a clear reminder that this doesn’t work.

It was the third game in their last six games where the Bulls defense allowed 140 points or more. Donovan saw his defense drop from 9th^th in overall defensive efficiency from November 2 to the 28th current session^th.

This was a group that finished 21^st last season, and that was with Andre Drummond and of course first-team All-NBA defender Alex Caruso.

Drummond left via free agency and Caruso was traded to Oklahoma City for Josh Giddey. Subtraction by addition on this side of the ball.

And by the way, the best team in terms of efficiency on Sunday? Caruso’s Thunder of course. And even though Caruso only averaged five points per game, he was second in individual defensive efficiency, while drawing five charges and leading the team with 51 deflections.

The Bulls have drawn two total charges as a team, and Patrick Williams leads them in deflections with 33, although he has missed the last three games.

This is why Donovan seeks answers and hopes to find them in the fairness that good, hard practice will provide.

“It’s addressed every day,” Donovan said of all the defensive breakdowns.

Even in the win over Atlanta the night before, Donovan had some jaw-dropping moments.

“We had matchups against Jalen Johnson and (De’Andre) Hunter, and we actually have to think about doubling up at the position,” Donovan said. “We have to be able to position ourselves and from a technical point of view, but not let ourselves be overwhelmed physically. There are times when the ball is in space and we need to be able to sit back and keep the ball.

And whether it’s all just willpower or a poorly constructed defensive team, Donovan doesn’t have time to examine that. In his mind, what they need is work.

“I don’t necessarily know other than going back to practice where we can actually start working one-on-ones and containing the ball,” he said. “I think we tried harder and executed better in the pick-and-roll. More physical there. It’s more about the space where the guy has the ball and is spinning, spinning, and spinning all the way to the basket. At some point we have to hold on.

“We have to work on it, we have to improve. I think we can be better. We need to be one of those teams that completely reduces the margin for error.

In other words, be more like Caruso.

“There were times last year where we were like, ‘Oh my God, this is bad,’ and Caruso fixed it,” Donovan said. “We don’t have that. They know it’s something we need to get better at.

For the third time in the last six games, the Bulls defense gave up at least 140 points. On Saturday, that happened against a Memphis team that was missing two key players.

By Joe Cowley

Coach Billy Donovan said Ball had his best shooting session Saturday since he was injured and, as long as there are no setbacks, he could start participating in full-contact scrimmages next week.

By Joe Cowley

It took almost two seasons, but the Bulls finally won a mid-season tournament game, and they did it in impressive fashion. Although coach Billy Donovan didn’t like the format, he did everything he could to increase the point differential late.

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