NEWSLETTER
Will tonight go better than Game 1, when the Bulls got their … ah, let’s hope.
Broadcast Info
Preseason Game 2: Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls at 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Bulls
Projected Starters:
1. Coby White
2. Zach LaVine
3. Otto Porter
4. Lauri Markkanen
5. Wendell Carter Jr.
Injury Report: Thaddeus Young OUT (lower left leg infection), Denzel Valentine OUT (Hamstring), Garrett Temple OUT (COVID-19 List), Noah Vonleh OUT (unknown)
Other health updates, per Donovan:
Denzel Valentine is doing some running and shooting and participated in walkthrough portion of practice.
Garrett Temple is still in COVID protocol but worked out at Advocate Center to pass required cardiovascular tests.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 13, 2020
Houston Rockets
Projected Starters:
1. John Wall
2. Eric Gordon
3. Danuel House
4. Ja’Sean Tate
5. DeMarcus Cousins
Injury Report: James Harden OUT (COVID protocols), Christian Wood OUT (Elbow), PJ Tucker OUT (COVID protocols), Sterling Brown OUT (COVID protocols)
What to Watch For
• Can this team bounce back? The Bulls suffered a pretty brutal 125-104 loss to this same Houston Rockets squad on Friday. Considering it was the team’s first competitive contest in nearly nine months and didn’t count in the win-loss column, I think it’s a performance many of us can write-off. However, while tonight might be just another preseason contest, our expectations should rise just a smidge. Billy Donovan has discussed the Bulls need to build off adversity over the past few days, and this is their first opportunity to do just that.
• The Bulls starters, specifically, struggled out of the gate in Game 1. With this being the expected to be the starting lineup come the beginning of the season, they should be on the court plenty to build the proper chemistry. Donovan said he plans to run with the same group tonight, which will give them an opportunity to right the wrong. While Coby White finished with 15 points and 6 assists in only his second game as the team’s starting point guard, he still struggled to be the “connector” Donovan wants him to be. If he can help the Bulls avoid another 14-2 start then it should be a step in the right direction.
• The defense looked like … (how do I put this?) … utter trash (that works) in the first game. The Rockets were left open behind the arc countless times, and Donovan also pointed to the team’s help defense as one of their worst areas of the night. If the Bulls want to make things more interesting tonight, there has to be a lot more effort on that side of the ball.
• Patrick Williams had 12 points with 3 rebounds in 25 minutes of action on Friday night. Donovan said he plans to give the rookie around the same amount of playing time tonight, so it’s time to see if the No. 4-overall draft pick can continue to impress. He should be a bit more confident with his first NBA matchup under his belt.
Get Caught Up
LIVE: Head Coach Billy Donovan meets with the media prior to tonight’s game against Houston https://t.co/4B7QzbBBIt
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 13, 2020
It’s Only the Preseason … It’s Only the Preseason … It’s Only the Preseason: Rockets 125, Bulls 104https://t.co/PVzfpD71eg
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 12, 2020
