NEWSLETTER
After a concerning 19-point loss to the team that owns the worst record in the NBA, there should be no lack of motivation to come out here and try to absolutely dominant.
Game Info
Orlando Magic (11-40) at Chicago Bulls (31-18) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV), and 670 The Score (Radio)
Projected Starters
Chicago Bulls
1. Ayo Dosunmu
2. Zach LaVine
3. DeMar DeRozan
4. Javonte Green
5. Nikola Vučević
Injury Report: Patrick Williams OUT (Wrist), Lonzo Ball OUT (knee), Derrick Jones Jr. OUT (knee), Alex Caruso OUT (Wrist)
Orlando Magic
1. Jalen Suggs
2. Cole Anthony
3. Franz Wagner
4. Wendell Carter Jr.
5. Mo Bamba
Injury Report: Jonathan Isaac OUT (knee), Michael Carter-Williams OUT (ankle), E’Twaun Moore OUT (knee), R.J. Hampton OUT (knee), Markelle Fultz OUT (knee)
What to Watch For …
• I’m still trying to forgive the Bulls for ruining DeMar DeRozan’s 41-point game on January 23rd. The MVP candidate and five-time All-Star did everything he could to help the Bulls win that game, and he was repaid with a 32.7 percent shooting performance by his teammates. The Bulls tallied a season-low 10 assists on one end of the floor while they allowed the 28th-ranked Magic offense to shoot 52.5 percent from the field on the other end. Remove DeRozan’s individual effort, and it was pretty easily the worst all-around effort we’ve seen from this team all season. Everything has to be better tonight.
• Seven Magic players found themselves in double-digits while they outscored the Bulls an absurd 60-34 in the paint. With that in mind, I have little doubt Orlando will come in tonight with a very similar game plan. The goal will be to establish a quick presence at the rime with their size and quickness, and it will be up to Nikola Vucevic to bring the same kind of physical play we have finally seen show up over the last handful of games. Likewise, the Bulls need to do a much better job at the point of attack, which is something hopefully the added presence of Green (and even LaVine) can bring to the table.
• The Bulls will also likely want to shoot better than 5-21 from the 3-point line this time around. The Magic allow opponents to shoot the 5th-highest clip from downtown, which should bode well for a Bulls team that shoots the 2nd-most efficient 3-ball in the league. Chicago is coming off a game where they sank a solid 13 3’s against the Blazers, so let’s hope that hot (lukewarm?) hand has not cooled off heading into tonight’s game.
• Wendell Carter Jr. lives to play his former team. Two of his top-3 scoring performance this season have come against the Bulls, and he’s outscored Vucevic in each of his three outings against the big man this season. The Bulls still picked up a win in two out of those three games, but I’d still love to see Vucevic come with a chip on his shoulder and hand it to the young big. Ya know, bring that “this is why they traded you” energy.
• More in here …
Back in First Place, Time for Revenge, Javonte Green’s Status, and Other Bulls Bulletshttps://t.co/jgFB7RIIEE pic.twitter.com/73EmmUs78O
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) February 1, 2022
