Bulls player who was punched in the face by a teammate and missed the first 8 weeks has returned to the team and now they're on fire

pulse

December 19, 2017 7:32 PM

Nikola Mirotic is putting together a career year for the Bulls, who have not lost since his return to the floor.

The Chicago Bulls are on a six-game winning streak that has coincided with the return of Nikola Mirotic.
Miroti missed the first 23 games of the season after being punched in the face by teammate Bobby Portis.
Mirotic is putting together a career year so far and has sparked a Bulls team that appeared to be tanking.

The Chicago Bulls are one of the hottest teams in the NBA at the moment, riding a six-game winning streak that was extended on Monday with a 117-115 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

The streak has coincided with the return of forward Nikola Mirotic, who returned to game action on December 8 and has been a catalyst since then.

Mirotic's season got off to a bumpy start when he got into an altercation with Bulls big man Bobby Portis. Portis punched Mirotic in the face, sending him to the hospital with a concussion and several facial fractures. The Bulls suspended Portis for eight games while Mirotic missed the first eight weeks of the season.

Everything in between the altercation and Mirotic's return was ugly. Mirotic's camp reportedly demanded the team traded him or Portis. As Mirotic, who signed a two-year, $27 million deal this offseason, returned to the team from the hospital, he was still not speaking to Portis.

However, once Mirotic got back on the court, something strange happened with the Bulls — they began winning.

Mirotic himself has been a spark, averaging 20 points and 7 rebounds per game on 52% shooting, 50% from three, all career-highs. Over that span, the Bulls rank 11th in offensive rating and fourth in defensive rating, outscoring teams by nearly eight points per 100 possessions, the fourth-best mark in the league.

Even more coincidental, the pairing of Portis and Mirotic on the court has been lethal for the Bulls, as they've outscored teams by 18.8 points per 100 possessions in 74 minutes together.

Both Portis and Mirotic are shooting career-highs from the three-point line. Put them on the floor together, and opponents have to deal with two pick-and-pop options.

The inside-outside versatility of both players works in some instances.

Head coach Fred Hoiberg praised the confidence Mirotic has brought to the Bulls.

pulse