NEWSLETTER
A win does not matter … but I still want one!
Broadcast Info
Preseason Game 3: Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder at 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago.
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1339289391903236097?s=20
Chicago Bulls
Projected Starters:
1. Coby White
2. Zach LaVine
3. Patrick Williams!!!!!
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), Tomas Satoransky OUT (not with team), Devon Dotson OUT (not with team), Adam Mokoka (not with team)
Billy Donovan Says Six Players Will Not Travel With the Team to OKChttps://t.co/If11ycDYaD
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 15, 2020
Houston Rockets
Projected Starters:
1. George Hill
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Darius Bazley
4. Mike Muscala
5. Al Horford
Injury report: Darius Miller OUT (unknown), Ty Jerome OUT (unknown), Josh Hall OUT (unknown)
What to Watch For
• The are Bulls going to let the rook cook! On Tuesday, head coach Billy Donovan hinted at the fact that he might switch up the team’s starting lineup for the Oklahoma City Thunder series. There were rumors all day (thanks to The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry) that Donovan could look to insert Patrick Williams into the starting five in place of Lauri Markkanen. However, before the game, Donovan announced Williams will actually takeover wing duties for Otto Porter. The Bulls’ willingness to make this move could tell us something about how fast they hope to get him heavily involved. Rookies should be clocking big minutes in these preseason games regardless, but as the front office’s first hand-picked player, there could be added pressure to make him a valuable part of the rotation from the jump. Additionally, Porter with the second unit might not be a bad idea. Donovan said in his pregame media availability that Porter could be a good player to give the second unit a burst. As a grounded, veteran presence, I would agree. At the same time, that kind of player might be best suited with the other young talent in the starting five. I guess there is only one way to find out!
Patrick Williams is Starting Tonight!https://t.co/36v1ncymPZ
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 16, 2020
• Relatedly, can Markkanen bounce back? Even if the big man doesn’t end up having his starting spot revoked, the Bulls would like to see him have a big game. Zach LaVine, Coby White, and even Wendell Carter Jr. have all shown us glimpses of how they fit into the team’s new offensive gameplan. Markkanen has certainly been in motion and a tiny bit more aggressive, but we have yet to see him look totally comfortable in the Bulls new system. A preseason breakout game from him would be warmly welcomed.
• Does Billy Donovan get a big standing ovation from his old fan base? (This is a joke … there are no fans … duh).
• Hopefully, Coby White will take another positive step forward. The Bulls new lead guard looked solid in Sunday’s win over the Houston Rockets, and he showed some much-improved facilitating. Keep it up, kid.
Get Caught Up
LIVE: Head Coach Billy Donovan media availability before tonight’s game in OKC https://t.co/Um74YRTrfx
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 16, 2020
Bulls Rookie Patrick Williams Could Get the Start Tonight in OKChttps://t.co/QELcYncwO7
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 16, 2020
Now Is the Time for Lauri Markkanen to Right the Shiphttps://t.co/HWsMxNToY7
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1338469035558785025?s=20
Billy Donovan Is All-Aboard the Wendell Carter Jr. Hype Trainhttps://t.co/JgV9Fw6c81
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 14, 2020
