Chicago Bulls must 'learn to put stops together'

The Chicago Bulls have lost three out of their last four games, and a big reason for that are the struggles of a normally stout defense.

Bulls still formidible without Derrick Rose, according to Doc Rivers

The Celtics coach says that having a full training camp to prepare for life without D-Rose helps the Bulls

Doc Rivers still close with Bulls' Tom Thibodeau

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers remains close with his former assistant and current Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.

Bulls disappointed with defensive effort

The Chicago Bulls defense let them down in Monday's 101-95 loss to the Boston Celtics.

Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics: Tom Thibodeau's pick-and-roll defense gets beat

The Boston Celtics twice successfully ran the same play late in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls on Monday to seal their victory. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell looks at how Boston beat the Bulls' vaunted pick-and-roll defense.

Chicago Bulls rookie Marquis Teague shows improvement vs. Celtics

Marquis Teague impressed his teammates when he filled in at point guard on Monday.

Celtics vs. Bulls final score: Chicago's comeback falls short, 101-95

The Boston Celtics handled the Chicago Bulls for three quarters, but had to hang on in the end to pull out a hard-fought 101-95 win at the United Center on Monday night. Two lobs from Rajon Rondo to Kevin Garnett helped seal the deal for the Celtics, who moved to 4-3 on the season.

The two teams, mainly known for their defense, engaged in a bit of a shootout early on. Boston led, 33-27, after the first quarter and extended their lead out to 58-46 at halftime. The Celtics shot a scorching 59.5 percent from the field in the half against the normally stout Bulls.

Boston held that 12-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Chicago's defense clamped down and forced a 10-0 run to get the Bulls back in the game. However, a lack of execution down the stretch, including several missed free throws, helped doom the Bulls.

Rondo played a masterful game for Boston, scoring 20 points, dishing out 10 assists and pulling down nine boards. Every single Celtics starter scored in double figures.

Luol Deng's double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds led the Bulls, who dropped to 4-3 on the year. Joakim Noah also notched a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.

Timberwolves vs. Bulls preview: Chicago hosts red-hot Minnesota Saturday night

The Chicago Bulls welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves to the United Center on Saturday night. The Timberwolves have started 4-1 despite a litany of injuries.

Thunder vs. Bulls final score: Luol Deng scores 27, but Chicago loses 97-91

Oklahoma City uses strong fourth quarter for comeback win over Bulls.

Thunder vs. Bulls score update: Oklahoma City leads 48-47 at half

Luol Deng leads Chicago with 13 points, but the Bulls trial the Thunder 48-47 Thursday.

Thunder vs. Bulls Preview: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook visit the United Center

The Chicago Bulls will attempt to continue their hot start to the 2012-13 season when they host the defending Western Conference champion, Oklahoma City, on Thursday night at the United Center. The Bulls have won three of their first four games, including a 99-93 victory Thursday over Orlando. Chicago has relied on a balanced attack in the absence of Derrick Rose, with five players averaging more than 12 points per game. Joakim Noah has led the way, averaging 16.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

Despite trading James Harden and a tepid 2-2 start, the Thunder remain one of the NBA's most explosive teams. Both Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are averaging 20.8 points per game, with Durant adding 12.3 rebounds per contest. Guard Kevin Martin has assumed some of the burden left by Harden, averaging 19.3 points per game off the bench and shooting 61% from behind the arc.

The game will get national television coverage, courtesy of TNT. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT.

Bulls' Joakim Noah regrets failing to get fans Big Macs

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah regrets his decision to attempt a last-second three-pointer in an effort to win fans at the United Center a free Big Mac, during Chicago's 99-93 win over the Orlando Magic.

Big Baby thinks Bulls will still be formidible without Derrick Rose

Orlando power forward Glen Davis still thinks the Bulls will be a tough challenge despite the loss of Derrick Rose.

Bulls bench play key role in win over Magic

The Chicago Bulls turned to their bench when they needed a lift on Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic.

Magic vs. Bulls recap: Chicago pulls out 99-93 victory

The Bulls were in a dogfight with the Magic for much of Tuesday night's game, but rode a strong fourth quarter to victory.

Magic's E'Twaun Moore plays in front of friends and family in Chicago

Orlando's starting point guard returned home on Tuesday night.

Bulls reaction: Three-point shooting a problem early in the season

The Chicago Bulls are 2-1 in the young 2012-13 NBA season. Blog-a-Bull broke down the early returns.

Magic vs. Bulls preview: Game time, TV and more

Bulls must beat 2-0 Magic Tuesday night to avoid going 0-2 at the United Center.

Chicago Bulls SF Luol Deng proud to be introduced as from 'South Sudan'

Bulls small forward Luol Deng chose to be introduced from "South Sudan" this season to show support to thew newly-independent county.

Tom Thibodeau: Derrick Rose isn't only member of Bulls capable of making big shots

Tom Thibodeau points out that Derrick Rose is not the only member of the Bulls capable of making big shots, suggesting that the rest of the team will need to step up down the stretch.

Anthony Davis injury: Hornets rookie draws praise from Tom Thibodeau

Anthony Davis didn't play against the Bulls Saturday, but Tom Thibodeau is still impressed.

Hornets vs. Bulls recap: Chicago struggles on offense, falls to New Orleans 89-82

The Chicago Bulls struggled on the offensive end and lost their first game of the regular season on Saturday.

Hornets vs. Bulls: Chicago looks to improve to 3-0 on the season

After consecutive wins to open the season, the Chicago Bulls will look to improve to 3-0 with another Saturday night in Chicago. New Orleans will play without rookie Anthony Davis, who suffered a mild concussion Saturday night.

Rip Hamilton thrives after fan's 'Old Man Rivers' joke

Chicago Bulls shooting guard Richard Hamilton went off against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night after being heckled by a fan.

Chicago Bulls embodying Tom Thibodeau's ethos during hot start

The Chicago Bulls have gotten off to a 2-0 start thanks to hard work and stifling defense, two things that are always stressed by coach Tom Thibodeau.

Anthony Davis injury: Hornets rookie won't play vs. Bulls due to concussion

New Orleans Hornets rookie Anthony Davis will not play against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday after suffering a concussion against the Utah Jazz on Friday.

Bulls vs. Cavs final score: Nate Robinson has 16 points, 12 assists in 115-86 win

Nate Robinson has big game off the bench as Bulls breeze by Cleveland to improve to 2-0.

Bulls vs. Cavs: Chicago shooting 67 percent, leads 60-35 at halftime

The Chicago Bulls have used 67 percent first-half shooting to take a 60-35 halftime lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday as they try to improve to 2-0 on the season.

Former Cav Carlos Boozer is 5-for-6 shooting for 12 points with three rebounds and four assists to lead Chicago. Two other Bulls are in double figures. Luol Deng has 11 points and four rebounds and guard Nate Robinson has scored 12 points off the bench. Nine of the 10 Bulls who have seen action have scored. Chicago out-scored Cleveland 32-16 in the first quarter and 28-19 in the second.

Cleveland trailed 60-32 with six seconds remaining in the half, but Alonzo Gee hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to cut the lead to 25.

Kyrie Irving has 11 points on 4-for-10 shooting, but he's turned the ball over four times and has just one assist. Gee has 10 points for Cleveland. The Cavs are shooting just 30 percent.

Chicago Bulls well aware of Cavs' breakout star Kyrie Irving

The Chicago Bulls will try to slow down Cleveland's Kyrie Irving on Friday.

Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kirk Hinrich draws Kyrie Irving

Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich is healthy and ready to match up against Cleveland Cavaliers star point guard Kyrie Irving on Friday night.

Bulls vs. Cavs preview: Kyrie Irving and Derrick Rose miss out on matchup again

Kyrie Irving and Derrick Rose have still never met in a head-to-head matchup, and Friday will mark the fourth time those two dynamic point guards don't directly cross paths.

Chicago Bulls finally have a good day

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Sacramento Kings and re-signed power forward Taj Gibson on Wednesday night. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell says you can't ask for much more than that.

Rip Hamilton looks strong in opener for Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls guard Richard Hamilton got off to a good start for the Chicago Bulls in the season opener.

Chicago Bulls reach 4-year extension with Taj Gibson

The Chicago Bulls and power forward Taj Gibson have agreed to a four-year, $32-$38 million extension.

Kings vs. Bulls final score: Joakim Noah leads Chicago to 93-87 win

The Chicago Bulls open their 2012-13 season with a 93-87 win over the Sacramento Kings. The Bulls did not trail after the first quarter, and built as much as a fourteen-point lead in the second half before coasting to the six-point victory.

Chicago was led by Joakim Noah, who scored 23 points and added 10 rebounds in 40 minutes on the floor. Noah was an impressive 11/12 from the free throw line, and managed five steals and three blocks on the defensive end. Richard Hamilton added 19 points, Carlos Boozer scored 18, and point guard Kirk Heinrich dished out seven assists.

Sacramento point guard Tyreke Evans scored 21 points and hauled in 8 boards, shooting 8/13 from the field and a perfect 4/4 from the free throw line. Guard Macus Thornton came off the bench to score 15 points, while center DeMarcus Cousins scored 14 despite turning the ball over seven times.

The Bulls return to action Friday night against the Cavaliers in Cleveland. Sacramento takes on the TImberwolves in Minneapolis Friday night.

Kings vs. Bulls score update: Chicago leads Sacramento, 44-40

The Chicago Bulls lead the Sacramento Kings, 44-40, after two quarters on Wednesday night.

Kirk Hinrich replaced the injured Derrick Rose in the starting lineup and had two points, six assists and one turnover in just under 14 minutes of playing time. Nate Robinson had two points and one assist off the bench as the backup point guard.

The Bulls are led by Richard Hamilton, who has a team-high 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field.

Tyreke Evans leads the Kings with a game-high 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field.

The Bulls have held the Kings to 47.2 percent shooting from the field in the first half while forcing 13 Kings' turnovers, including four each by DeMarcus Cousins and James Johnson.

The Bulls are shooting 48.8 percent from the field as a team. Ten different players scored for Chicago in the first half. Joakim Noah leads the team with five rebounds so far.

Taj Gibson 'unlikely' to get contract extension from Chicago Bulls, according to report

The Bulls are unlikely to extend the contract of forward Taj Gibson by Wednesday's deadline according to a report.

Former Bulls legend Scottie Pippen thinks Chicago can win 40 games

Scottie Pippen believes that Chicago Bulls can win 40 games in 2012-13, as the Bulls prepare for life without Derrick Rose -- for now.

Chicago Bulls in 2012-2013: An optimist's take

The Chicago Bulls take on the Sacramento Kings Wednesday in their season opener. It's been a long six months for the Bulls since Derrick Rose tore his ACL, but SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell believes there are still a few reasons to be optimistic.

Kings vs. Bulls preview: Chicago opens a season with big changes

The Chicago Bears have led the league in regular-season wins for two years running, but major personnel changes means their expectations for 2012-2013 have to have shifted.