Chicago 86, Cleveland 85

Seemingly - that is to say, "just some of the time, despite the hyperbole that follows" - after every ugly Cavalier loss we'll hear either Mike Brown or some random Cavalier musing about how it was the defense that did them in. When, in fact, it was the offense that was stagnant and well-below par. And even when everyone knows it. Even when Charles Barkley knows it.

And yet, after tonight's loss to the Bulls, we actually heard LeBron James(notes) musing about how the offense was poor. Finally. And it was poor - just over 93 points per 100 possessions.

So, of course, I'm going to complain about Cleveland's defense to start. Because I always have to have something to complain about.

Chicago's offense was just one point better than a Cleveland offense I called "poor." But the team had makeable shots, all night. Derrick Rose(notes), Jannero Pargo(notes), Taj Gibson(notes), Brad Miller(notes) and (especially) Luol Deng(notes) all had good looks at the basket on their favorite shots, and still clanged one miss after another.

If the Bulls knock in their usual percentage of open looks, these shots typical to each player, the Bulls score over a hundred points in what was a pretty slow (91 possessions) game. And this isn't a case of Shaquille O'Neal(notes) or Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) failing to get out on screen and roll. This was across the board. In fact, Shaq was pretty sterling tonight, defensively, and not just because of his five blocks.

Maybe we're just used to the Cavalier offense stinking so much, so the defensive lapses seem like a surprise. Make no mistake, offense was still a huge problem.

We've been blaming Mike Brown for years, but last I checked, the players are allowed to break plays. The players are allowed to push the ball. The players are allowed to run, and they don't. Especially LeBron. I can rip the coaching staff all season, but it's not going to change anything if the Cavaliers don't stop making offense so hard on themselves. They just make things tougher than they have to be.

The Bulls missed 52 shots on Thursday. 52. You're telling me you can't find a way to run on these things? With all these long rebounds, after missed jumpers?

After a while, because we get so used to the lackluster performances in one area, we just can't help but look to another. As it is with offense, then focusing on defense. As it was Mike Brown ... and now the Cavaliers themselves. I don't care if the coaching staff is holding up a stop sign every time you corral a defensive board. Push the ball. Look for easy scores.

Don't look to lose at home against a Bulls team that shoots its way out of half the games it plays in.

Just six turnovers for Chicago tonight. The team's coaching staff did a good job of keeping things simple, and as noted earlier, had Chicago actually deigned to hit those good looks, they would have enjoyed a comfortable road win.

Utah 113, San Antonio 99

The Utah Jazz are just two seasons removed from leading the NBA in offensive efficiency, so this sort of outburst (127 points per 100 possessions) can't really be termed "surprising," no? This is a very good offensive team.

And the Spurs? They haven't played in a while, they seemed dispirited by some calls that went the wrong way (non-calls, really) early on, and just didn't seem to want to bang with Utah. Kind of strange to be burned out after so much time off, but the heart wants what it wants.

There are some legitimate health problems with this team. Tim Duncan(notes) can still put up the points in certain matchups, as he showed us against Chicago last week, but that added gear (yes, fundamental big men that look slower than they actually are have extra gears) just isn't there. He doesn't have that extra half-foot, that extra step, that needed advantage to dominate.

Manu Ginobili(notes) doesn't appear to have any gears going at all. He looks, at once, out of shape and lacking lower body strength. I can say this despite not having seen him in person this season, while owning a 19-inch TV, and with no medical background of any kind.

You can say it, too. He sways on shots, his step-back moves aren't back yet, and his footwork is off. He might need another month. Maybe more.

The Jazz set the tone early with physical play, and decided not to let up. The Mavericks game from earlier this week, with Dirk Nowitzki(notes) going off for 29 fourth quarter points, was obviously in their head. And even though this was a pretty even game after the first quarter (the Jazz were up 12 after the first 12 minutes, and won the game by 14), it takes a certain toughness to play ahead and stay ahead.

To me, commenting with any certainty on the Spurs seems like a wasted exercise, and not worth your time. It's almost like discussing the exhibition season. These aren't the Spurs, and they may not really be the Spurs until winter really takes hold.

Carlos Boozer(notes) had four of his shots blocked, but otherwise made 12 of 16 shots and looks to be gaining strength. Deron Williams(notes) - 27 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, constant movement - was pretty fantastic. The man runs a great game.

Related: Shaquille O'Neal, Taj Gibson, Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Brad Miller, Manu Ginobili, Carlos Boozer, Jannero Pargo, LeBron James, Luol Deng, Utah Jazz, Behind the boxscore