Rondo benched for 2nd half vs. Pacers, could lose starting job

Rajon Rondo was benched for the entire second half of the Bulls' 111-101 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

The 11-year pro finished with a dismal stat line of zero points, one assist, and one rebound in 10 minutes of action where his team was a minus-20 plus/minus while he was on the court. The Bulls' backup point guard, Michael Carter-Williams, took over for Rondo as the game progressed and he had a much better game finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds, and a steal in 27 minutes of playing time.

The Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson asked Rondo whether or not he was surprised to be sitting out the second half, and he said he wasn't. When prompted further, Rondo said he wasn't surprised due to his "intuition."

Head Coach Fred Hoiberg - whose job is reportedly in jeopardy - decided to go with the younger Carter-Williams to help slow down Jeff Teague who had a career-high 17 assists in the game. Dwyane Wade took over the playmaking duties for the Bulls.

Hoiberg has yet to give him a reason for the benching and Rondo is vying to brush it off in the meantime.

"It don't have to be a big deal," Rondo told reporters.

The Bulls host the Bucks on Saturday, and Hoiberg said he's undecided on who Chicago's starting point guard will be.