NBA Power Rankings week 12: injury fallout, OKC Thunder highs and lows

Chicago Bulls:

Offense: (104.5) 28th
Defense: (106.2) 9th
Net: (minus -1.7) 18th

Games Week 12 (1-3): Won vs. Pistons: 108-99, Lost vs. Mavs: 110-118, Pels: 108-123, Pacers:105-116
Games Week 13 (4 games): Mon at Celtics | Weds vs. Wizards | Fri at 76ers | Sat vs. Cavaliers

The Bulls had won five of eight games and looked to be on a roll rising to the third ranked defense in week 10 but a scheduling stretch where they faced five elite squads and an improving Pelicans club amounted to a six-game losing streak and in two weeks a severe drop off defensively.

Fortunately, the schedule Gods served up the Pistons and then Andre Drummond got into it with Daniel Gafford throwing the ball at his head (in fairness – the action sounds more brutal than it was). That resulted in AD’s ejection and the Bulls were away to the races.

For his part, Gafford has big shoes to fill with Wendell Carter out at least a month to six weeks with the end of February marked for his return. Gafford is even a question mark to play Monday with an ankle sprain so the frontcourt could become an issue given Lauri Marrkanen is also nursing an ankle sprain.