Giddey laments poor defense vs. Cavs: 'I have to be way better'

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey knows exactly why he was benched during the final minutes of Friday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers: his defense.

"It was horrible from start to finish," Giddey told the Chicago Sun Times' Joe Cowley.

He added: "They put me in action. I have to be way better, whether it's coverage or sitting down and guarding somebody. I don't even blame it on the fouls. It was part of it, but everything else was just as bad. I wouldn't have played myself if I was (head coach Billy Donovan)."

Giddey only managed five points, one assist, and three rebounds while shooting 2-for-9 from the field and 1-for-5 from three. But what bothered him the most was his regression defensively.

"It pisses me off to be on that side of the ball and be like that," Giddey said. "I thought I was making steps in the right direction. To have a night like I did tonight kind of kills your confidence."

The 22-year-old has sat on the bench in the closing minutes of the Bulls' last four games. Ayo Dosunmu has largely taken Giddey's place down the stretch.

Despite his recent struggles, Donovan said he's still "got confidence" in the young Australian.

Giddey is currently averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 assists, and six rebounds while starting all 13 games for the Bulls thus far. Chicago returns to action Sunday against the Houston Rockets.