Three keys to winning games in the NBA

[John Kelly]

According to Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, teams must win 1) the free-throw battle, 2) the rebounding battle and 3) the turnover battle.

The Bulls dropped to 4-8 this season after blowing a 22-point third-quarter lead to the Oklahoma City Thunder to lose in overtime, 127-125.

It also would help Donovan's cause if his three best players (Zach Lavine, Lauri Markkanen and Coby White) would play defense.

 

[cheapseats]

No, it would help if your team would play 48 min.

 

[John Kelly]

Indeed, Cheap.

Finishing games and finishing quarters.

But mostly finishing games.

 

[John Kelly]

Seemed like the usually-upbeat Donovan offered one criticism of his team after tonight's game when he said something like, "This was only my 12th game here but these players have had many tough moments like this one over the past two or three years."

Yikes!

 

[lastyle7]

biggest thing..staying healthy

 

[John Kelly]

biggest thing..staying healthy

Good point, LASTYLE7.

And gamblers need to stay abreast of the latest injuries.

About last night's Bulls-Thunder game: Zach Lavine limped off the court with a twisted ankle after missing a straightaway "3" to win the game.

It did not look serious.

Fitness and fatigue are other factors to consider in NBA handicapping.

Fitness early in the season and fatigue late in the season.

See James Harden early in the 2020 NBA season for an illustration of poor fitness.

Damian Lillard in the 2019 NBA postseason eventually ran out of gas in the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, serving as an example of late-season fatigue.

 

[FairWarning]

Good point, LASTYLE7.

And gamblers need to stay abreast of the latest injuries.

About last night's Bulls-Thunder game: Zach Lavine limped off the court with a twisted ankle after missing a straightaway "3" to win the game.

It did not look serious

So it shouldn't affect his defensive "effort" in the next game.

 

[WildBill]

According to Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, teams must win 1) the free-throw battle, 2) the rebounding battle and 3) the turnover battle.

The Bulls dropped to 4-8 this season after blowing a 22-point third-quarter lead to the Oklahoma City Thunder to lose in overtime, 127-125.

It also would help Donovan's cause if his three best players (Zach Lavine, Lauri Markkanen and Coby White) would play defense.

These days its scratch 1, 2 is more like "stay close on the boards" and 3 is still true. Whether you like it or not, winning in the REGULAR season is about 1. winning made 3s, 2. defending the PNR, 3. avoid careless turnovers, 4. stay out of foul trouble.

 

[John Kelly]

Good point about careless turnovers, BILL.

Nothing worse for a head coach.

Donovan, promoting his "Billy Ball" style of play, seems to be excellent at player development and player relationships.

One guy I like on Donovan's team is 19-year-old Patrick Williams.

Patrick can defend guys like LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard and his offensive game should grow under Donovan's direction.

Unfortunately for Donovan, he's stuck with some flawed players from the previous administration.

 

[John Kelly]

Hard to believe, Patrick Williams was the fourth overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, yet never started a game despite appearing in 29 contests during his freshman season at Florida State.