Despite their losing record, the Chicago Bulls seem to have figured out how to defend without Lonzo Ball — at least on paper.
The Bulls are seventh in the NBA in defensive rating (109.8) and in the top 10 in many other important defensive statistics: sixth in steals (8.1 per game), tied for seventh in blocks (5.7) and second in fewest second-chance points (11.1).
But after the devastating deflation of last season’s defense, the question for the Bulls is simple: How long can this last?