Starting for an injured Rajon Rondo, Jerian Grant had 18 points and five steals in the Bulls’ 25-point win against the Trail Blazers last month.
Grant will likely get another crack to start against Portland tonight.
Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago:
Rajón Rondo suspended by the Bulls for conduct detrimental. Rondo will serve the suspension tonight against the Trailblazers
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) December 5, 2016
Chicago’s net rating with each starter on the court is lowest with Rondo:
- Jimmy Butler: +7.9
- TajGibson: +6.1
- Robin Lopez: +5.3
- Dwyane Wade: +3.5
- Rondo: +2.0
But I doubt that’s the detrimental conduct the Bulls are referring to.
Chicago’s other starters have been dynamite with Grant instead of Rondo, outscoring opponents by 28 points per 100 possessions (relative to +10.6 with Rondo, still a robust mark). That’s a small sample with Grant, but we’ll get another opportunity to learn how this team meshes without Rondo.
Remember, though it started with a team-imposed one-game suspension, the Mavericks eventually told Rondo to stay away.
