NEWSLETTER
Please … just don’t hurt me.
Broadcast Info
Chicago Bulls at Dallas Mavericks (2:00 CT) on NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score (Audio)
Chicago Bulls
Projected Starters:
1. Coby White
2. Zach LaVine
3. Patrick Williams
4. Lauri Markkanen
5. Wendell Carter Jr.
Injury Report: Tomas Satoransky OUT (NBA Protocol), Chandler Hutchison OUT (NBA Protocol), Devon Dotson OUT (Not With Team), Luke Kornet OUT (Not With Team)
Dallas Mavericks
Projected Starters:
1. Luka Doncic
2. Trey Burke
3. Wes Iwundu
4. Kristaps Prozingis
5. Willie Cauley-Stein
Injury report: Tim Hardaway OUT (groin), Josh Richardson OUT (NBA Protocol), Jalen Brunson OUT (NBA Protocol), Dorian Finney-Smith OUT (NBA Protocol), Maxi Kleber OUT (NBA Protocol), Dwight Powell OUT (NBA Protocol)
What to Watch For
• Technically, the Dallas Mavericks are extremely short-handed, but that does not make me feel any better about the Bulls chances this afternoon. Luka Donocic and Kristaps Prozingis will both be in the starting lineup, and the Bulls 29th-ranked defense has shown nothing to make me believe they can keep either from having a season-best performance. If they want to keep this game within striking distance, it might be best to focus on limiting the supporting cast. Not to mention, following less will be key. Dallas draws the 7th-most personal fouls a game, which isn’t great news for a Bulls team that gives up the 4th-most each night.
• The Bulls need their veterans to come through big today. Guys like Otto Porter, Thaddeus Young, and Garrett Temple are going to have to show these young guys how to bounce back after a disastrous loss. Not to mention, all three have been key to the team’s second unit, which should be an area where the Bulls have a big advantage tonight with a number of the Mavericks’ rotation players missing. When Doncic and Prozingis are off the court, these off-the-bench vets need to strike on the offensive end.
• The Bulls have shot very efficiently from the field this season, and that has to continue if they want to grab their 5th win of the season. Dallas makes very few mistakes with the basketball (4th-fewest turnovers per game), so the Bulls can’t expect to get many extra possessions. Meanwhile, can the Bulls just please avoid 20+ turnovers? Like, seriously.
Get Caught Up …
LIVE: Head Coach Billy Donovan media availability prior to today's game in Dallas https://t.co/H8CfFnR3dn
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 17, 2021
Tomas Satoransky has joined Chandler Hutchison for individual workouts at Advocate Center, per Billy Donovan.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 17, 2021
Self-Inflicted Wounds, Donovan’s Teaching Style, A Tougher Mavs Matchup, and Other Bulls Bulletshttps://t.co/yJK9lBiYKh
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 17, 2021
