The Chicago Bulls have won two of their last three games, but they are still fighting very hard for a playoff spot. With just 15 games left on the schedule, the Bulls sit in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, but they are tied with the Detroit Pistons.
The Bulls have dealt with some injuries to key players recently that seemed like they would basically end their playoff chances. Fortunately for Chicago, they have been able to tread water, and a big reason why has been the play of guard Justin Holiday. Holiday was acquired by the Bulls in a very low-key trade deadline deal that sent Kirk Hinrich to the Atlanta Hawks.
Holiday has been on four different teams already in his career, but he has been unable to carve out a role for any of them until now. Part of the reason for his opportunity with the Bulls was because of injuries, but he has taken full advantage, and head coach Fred Hoiberg has taken notice calling him a "pleasant surprise."
Over his last six games, Holiday has played at least 16 minutes in each, and while he has scored the ball better than he ever has in his career, his defense has also made an impression. In a game last week, Holiday held Dwyane Wade to 3-15 shooting while he, himself, scored 14 points. Because of performances like those, it seems as though Holiday has moved ahead of Tony Snell on the depth chart getting backup minutes behind Jimmy Butler.
"I'm starting to figure it out," Holiday said. "I just want to be aggressive at both ends. Coach has given me confidence since I've been here just playing me the times he has. The one thing I love that he allows me to do is guard really good players, the best players on the other team. Things like that shows he has confidence in me."
Holiday is the older brother of All-Star guard Jrue Holiday, but unfortunately for him, his career hasn't quite taken off like his brothers has. Holiday is probably most famous for getting a five-second call with Drake in his ear, although he said that he never heard Drake, but his playing time has increased and he is showing that he can be a useful player moving forward.
Holiday is under contract through next season with the Bulls, so it seems like he has finally found a place where he can get consistent minutes, as long as he keeps playing like he has recently. Through 12 games in Chicago, the third-year man out of Washington is averaging 5.8 points while making 44 percent of his three pointers.
