Bulls end losing skid; still trying to embrace 'competitive integrity'

Bulls end losing skid; still trying to embrace 'competitive integrity'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Bulls are in a weird place these days.Defense still seems to be optional far too often, and a seven-victory team can make them continue to look underwhelming. Then they had center Nikola Vucevic’s benching to explain after a 129-126 victory Friday against the Hornets.‘‘You obviously want to be out there as a competitor,’’ Vucevic said of not playing the last 17 minutes. ‘‘Zach [Collins] and ‘Sticks’ [Jalen Smith] were playi…

Bulls end losing skid; still trying to embrace ‘competitive integrity’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Bulls are in a weird place these days. Defense still seems to be optional far too often, and a seven-victory team can make them continue to look underwhelming. Then they had center Nikola Vucevic’s benching to explain after a 129-126 victory Friday against the Hornets. ‘‘You obviously want to be out there as a competitor,’’ Vucevic said of not playing the last 17 minutes. ‘‘Zach [Collins] and ‘Sticks’ [Jalen Smith] were pla…