Bench Scoring Helps Bulls Win After Trailing by 21

Random thoughts while wondering whether Jay Cutler completing passes to open Chicago Bears receivers will only reinforce the quarterback’s sense of invincibility in throwing to covered Bears receivers:

OK, so we may be a day late with wishes for a happy Canadian Thanksgiving. Sorry about that. Here’s Canada native Khloe Terae.

* The Chicago Bulls overcame a 21-point deficit Monday night to defeat the Denver Nuggets at the United Center 110-90. It would seem the Bulls have mastered that falling behind early and rallying late thing. Guess coach Tom Thibodeau can check that off his to-do list.

* Speaking of the Bulls, Jimmy Butler had a good game with a team-high 21 points (7-of-8 from the field) in 22 minutes. What he needs to perfect in the preseason is consistency. Then again, that could be said for most players not in the superstar category.

* Speaking of superstars, Bulls guard Derrick Rose had 15 points (4-of-12 from the field, including 1-of-5 three-point attempts) in 21 minutes. Based on a small sample size, it appears his field-goal attempts with be either drives to the basket or three-point tries.

* Speaking of three-pointers, Bulls rookie Doug McDermott was 3-of-4 from long distance (5-of-8 overall) as he scored 16 points in 26 minutes off the bench.

* Speaking of Bulls rookies, Nikola Mirotic had 12 points in 26 minutes on 5-of-11 shooting. Thibodeau no doubt was more impressed by Mirotic’s steals total: 4. And even more impressed by his turnover total: 0.

* Speaking of double-digit scoring by Bulls off the bench, Taj Gibson had 15 point on 5-of-8 shooting in 26 minutes.

* Granted the Bulls accomplished all this in an exhibition game. Even so, if the bench can provide anything approaching that sort of scoring, the team could be fairly formidable during the regular season and beyond. Just don’t expect Thibodeau to limit starters’ minutes to fewer than 30, as he did Monday.

* Here’s hoping someone is looking out for Bears safety Chris Conte’s welfare. He did not finish Sunday’s victory at Atlanta because of a shoulder injury. He also has had to come out of games this season two other times because of a shoulder injury and once because of a concussion. Not to mention he had a concussion in an exhibition game. “He’s our starter until the doctors and trainers … or he feels uncomfortable playing,” Trestman said. Conte is on pace to finishing less than half the games he plays this season — and to become the poster boy for why so many parents nowadays are inclined to steer their kids away from playing football.

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