The Chicago Bulls hosted the Atlanta Hawks for their third game of the season tonight. After trailing most of the night, the Bulls put together a stellar second half to bring it down to the wire, leading by five with under two minutes to go. It ended with some clutch buckets by Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey and a game-sealing offensive rebound by Giddey. It was a matchup that looked very similar to the end of last season, high-paced and sloppy, but the Bulls extended their undefeated streak to begin the new year 3-0. Here are the biggest red flags that will haunt them if left uncorrected.

Turnovers Becoming Transition Points

The Bulls did not deserve to win this game. Their defense was pitiful, especially in the paint, and the primary reason they were able to sneak away with it was the Hawks’ inability to knock down three-point shots in the second half. Through three outings, the Bulls have been in the bottom five in turnovers per outing. Tonight, shot clock violations, offensive fouls, and careless passes gifted Atlanta too many easy transition baskets. With such a young and inexperienced group, the sloppiness offensively will become their demise if they fail to clean things up.

Hawks 58, Bulls 57 at half

Giddey 12 pts, 9 rebs
Huerter 11 pts

Bulls have to be thrilled to be so close after shooting 5-23 from 3 and allowing 12 pts off TOs

https://twitter.com/KCJHoop/status/1982977405338955950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Skilled Big Men Are A Problem

Kristaps Porzingis was the best scoring center Chicago has faced this season, and it was quickly exposed as an issue defensively. Due to Vucevic’s lack of mobility, he’s often tasked with the slowest or least capable three-point shooting forward. Hence, Matas Buzelis and Patrick Williams usually drew the Porzingis assignment tonight. K.P. dropped a game-high 27 points on 11-of-17 from the field, including three makes from beyond the three-point arc. The pick-and-roll switch strategy from the Bulls came back to bite on nearly every occasion when Atlanta’s big man was involved.

10 PTS in his first 4 MIN of action!

Hot start for Kristaps Porziņģis in Chicago 🦄 pic.twitter.com/8UDKV6FBq5

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1982965785816699041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Lacking A Primetime Closer

On opening night against the Detroit Pistons, the most noticeable issue with the current group was the lack of a closing offensive option. Giddey and Vucevic often ran the pick-and-roll, but neither could get a bucket on command. As many flaws as Zach LaVine had, he was the go-to playmaking option down the stretch of close games. Tonight, this problem showed again. The clinching option was Tre Jones, a 25-year-old guard who has never been an All-Star and averages 8.4 points across his career. Many plays down the stretch of the first and third games were quirky, random offensive possessions that luckily went Chicago’s way.

Tre Jones has been so good for the Bulls. Credit where it’s due, bringing him back was a good move. pic.twitter.com/C4ffKsbpkY

https://twitter.com/chisportsross/status/1982240618299461705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Luckily for the Bulls, help is on the way. Coby White has been the closing option when healthy, and will return to that role when he’s able to play again in a few weeks. Adding White to a balanced, deep lineup will only bolster Chicago’s offensive output.