Billy Donovan said the physicality of the game bothered the Chicago Bulls' ballhandlers into committing costly turnovers

Cleveland's physicality made it tougher for Chicago’s playmakers.

© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the best defensive team in the NBA for numerous reasons. They have a long and athletic frontline, quick and savvy perimeter players, and most of all, they aren’t afraid to get down and dirty if the need arises. The Chicago Bulls got a taste of this during their game on Wednesday in a game that coach Billy Donovan described had a playoff atmosphere.

Physical opponent

With Bulls guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu routinely slicing the Cavaliers’ defense up, Cleveland took a different approach to defending them in the later part of the game. They got physically aggressive, disrupting their drives to the basket and even forcing them into making costly turnovers.

Coby White and Georges Niang have some words. Had to be separated. pic.twitter.com/quiTYeAmu4

— ✶ Ⓜ️𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤 ▶️ ✶ (@_MarcusD3_) February 15, 2024

Donovan acknowledged that his team struggled with handling this level of physicality, saying, “I really felt the physicality of this game, Orlando, Minnesota, there’s been some games we’ve been in late that give you a playoff feel of physicality. Generally, teams that are high up in the standings have that. I felt the physicality by them forced us into some turnovers. I thought our ball handlers got a little rushed.”

Made some adjustments

Cleveland often targeted White, the Bulls’ rising star guard, who was scorching hot in the second half where he scored 23 of his 32 points. They placed numerous defenders on him, such as Isaac Okoro and Georges Niang, whom he got into a brief scuffle with late in the game. However, Donovan lauded White for making adjustments and fighting through the physicality.

Niang fouls out. Sit down son. pic.twitter.com/fhG6ApWHp0

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“They were really physical with him; he really course-corrected at half and came out and played a great game,” Donovan quipped.

“I thought Coby had an exceptional second half. I thought he was great, especially the way they were playing him defensively.”

Coby White on taking the last shot vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers