NBA Power Rankings: The Cavs’ defense is failing again

We’re just two weeks into the season and one prohibitive Finals team is faltering in predictable ways while other teams are showing new life. What else is new in the NBA this week?

30. Chicago Bulls

An almost win against the Cavs was the highlight of the Bulls’ week, as Chicago’s group of misfits came close to knocking LeBron James and company after hitting 17 3-pointers. A win against the Hawks, while maybe not good for draft positioning, was nice too.

And then Saturday’s game against the Thunder happened. The Bulls scored 69 points while shooting 28.2 percent from the field and and 27 percent from 3 in a 32-point drubbing at home. In this game, the Bulls offered nothing and showed how much talent this team is lacking when the good team they are facing actually works on and defense and doesn’t give up wide open 3-point attempts. Games against the Magic, Heat and Pelicans don’t make this week much easier.

About the only real positive for the Bulls is that Lauri Markkanen is still shooting well and playing better than many had expected.