Aussies in NBA: Bairstow quiet against Knicks, Mavericks

Cameron Bairstow was interviewed by Nick Metallinos on his recent D-League experience, and one of the questions was about whether he expected to be playing more this season under Fred Hoiberg. Bairstow made it clear he knew the situation.

“No, I knew going in what the situation was so I’m just trying to make the most of every opportunity I get, and that’s all you can do.”

In saying that, Bairstow has managed to hit the floor twice within the last four games, playing in brief stints against the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks.

The day after a grueling quadriple-overtime 147-144 loss to the Detroit Pistons, in which Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson played 48 minutes and 44 minutes respectively, Bairstow played six minutes with the Bulls getting blown out on the second game of a back-to-back, 91-107.

Bairstow made one bucket out of his three attempts for the game, as well as grasping two rebounds and picking up a foul in the six minutes (box score). He was defending the Knicks' star rookie, Kristaps Porzingis for most of his time, and conceded an and-one to the Latvian big man.

[gfycat data_id="WelltodoCreativeCrocodile" data_autoplay=true data_expand=true] He later made an easy layup late in the game. Upon his score with thirty seconds to go in the game, he sent a passionate section in the crowd into celebration, who were there to support the Australian.

[gfycat data_id="WholeCanineAmericancreamdraft" data_autoplay=true data_expand=true]

there's randomly an entire Cameron Bairstow cheering section on the skybridge. They just lost it when he scored.

— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) December 20, 2015

Against the Dallas Mavericks, contrary to the expectations of just about everybody following the Bulls-Mavericks game, Bear was substituted into the rotation by coach Fred Hoiberg in the first quarter.

Unfortunately, Bear did not make an impact on the stat sheet, earning a -6 in +/- differential and little else (box score). The Bulls also went on to lose the game, as they faltered down the stretch to the tune of 118-111.

Hopefully we get to see more of Bairstow in weeks to come, as his play time is becoming slightly more regular, earning court-time in three of the last seven times he has been in uniform.