Recent acquisitions Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller helped the Chicago Bulls tread water during the team’s five-game Western road trip.
As Chicago returns home to face the slumping Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, Bulls coach Billy Donovan hopes the “good minutes from those guys” keep coming.
“I’m really pleased with their effort and how they are trying to play and share the ball,” Donovan said.
Miller contributed 14 points and eight rebounds and Dillingham added 12 points during Friday’s 119-108 loss to the host Los Angeles Clippers. The Bulls went ahead late in the third quarter as Dillingham dialed in from long range but ultimately couldn’t close, finishing the trip at 2-3.
Bulls guard Josh Giddey will seek his fourth triple-double in the past five games. He contributed 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Clippers for his 29th career triple-double, one more than franchise and NBA icon Michael Jordan.
“I guess the game has changed where triple-doubles back then might not be what they are today,” Giddey said. “But whenever your name is mentioned with any of the greats like that, it’s always an honor.”
The United Center will host an unexpected reunion as the Grizzlies aim to stop a season-high seven-game losing streak, their sixth skid this season of at least four games.
Memphis reserve forward Taj Gibson, 40, signed a two-year deal in late February and made his season debut Friday after two weeks of building his conditioning. He contributed three points and three rebounds in 12 minutes of a 126-110 loss at Detroit.
Chicago drafted Gibson 26th overall in 2009. He endeared himself to Bulls fans with his hustle and leadership, playing in 562 games over eight seasons while helping the franchise to six consecutive playoff berths.
Gibson earned a warm ovation Jan. 24 while addressing the United Center crowd during a jersey retirement ceremony for former Bulls star Derrick Rose. He becomes the second-oldest active player in the NBA behind LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after happily fielding a call from the Grizzlies.
“I was just like, ‘Hey man, I don’t really know what I can bring, but if you give me an opportunity, I’m just going to give you all I got,'” Gibson said. “I’m extremely happy to be around the guys.”
The Grizzlies find the feeling is mutual. Third-year forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who scored 17 points Friday and was among four players in double figures at Detroit, praises Gibson’s positivity.
“Since the moment he stepped in the locker room,” Prosper said, “anytime I come off the court, he’s the first guy to tell me something on the bench. … He’s super encouraging. He’s been a great energy and voice in this locker room.”
Monday marks the first of the teams’ two meetings over 12 days. Memphis is 6-4 over the past 10 games, with the teams splitting the last three season series.
Giddey has posted double-doubles in four of his past six games versus Memphis while averaging 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5 assists over that stretch. Jalen Smith has grabbed at least five rebounds in six successive games against the Grizzlies, but did not play (calf) vs. the Clippers and is considered day-to-day.
