Bulls Lose 99-94

I've felt the past couple posts have started to stagnate. Therefore, instead of just writing recaps, I want to start thinking more about individual strategy analysis. This game vs. the Orlando Dwight Howards featured 3 very formidable post players with one rising (sometimes literally) above them all (Howard).

Carlos Boozer provided an interesting study. In this game he shot 12-20 for 26 points, and kept the Bulls in the game with his clutch elbow and baseline jump shooting throughout the 4th. One play that was run with particular perfection in the contest was a pick and pop with the primary ball handler. Boozer would set up his pick on either side of the dribbler, would slip the screen and take the jumper from either elbow. This extended Orlando's defense and allowed for more open lanes to the basket or 3-point shooting opportunities from the guards. Not only that, his 20 shots taken was second only to Rose's 22. This involvement in the offense increased his motivation to play defense as can be seen by his 4 steals.

It's no secret that Dwight Howard is the best center in the league. When push comes to shove, he's just bigger, stronger, and more athletic than the other bigs. On three different occasions, Jameer Nelson (averaging just 5.5 assists on a team with a dominant big and knock-down shooters) had enough faith to just throw the ball up to Howard and have him jump over everyone and throw it down. What I'm more interested in is how the Bulls tried to defend him and how the Magic then adapted to (and eventually bested) Chicago's efforts.

Orlando's basic set featured Howard on either block with the other 4 players flanking him behind the 3 point line. When Howard posts up, the Bulls tried to run what was almost a triangle defense. Howard's primary defender would play behind him on the post, and whichever perimeter defenders were on his side would alternate and swipe in at him as he backed in. This resulted in 2 turnovers over the course of the game as Howard was unable to predict from where the double was coming and resulted in easy transition points for the Bulls.

The Magic realized quickly the strategy the Bulls were using on Howard and tweaked their sets to get him into more 1-1 situations. In these cases, it was rare that either Noah or Boozer would be able to stop him and these cases were instrumental in extending their lead. Instead of extending on all sides of the perimeter with Howard on the block, the Magic instead went to more of a baseline iso set. The other 4 players would spread on the other side of the court while Howard worked baseline with whomever was guarding him. This allowed him to post up easily and either turn baseline or drive middle with a baby hook. By putting Howard in a place where the Magic were able to maximize his versatility, the Magic then opened up other shots for their 3 point shooters to put the Bulls away.