NEWSLETTER
Last chance to prove you shouldn’t be traded!
Broadcast Info
Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls – 7:00 CT NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score (audio)
Chicago Bulls
Projected Starters:
1. Tomas Satoransky
2. Zach LaVine
3. Patrick Williams
4. Lauri Markkanen
5. Thaddeus Young
Injury Report: N/A
Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected Starters:
1. Darius Garland
2. Isaac Okoro
3. Cedi Osman
4. Larry Nance Jr.
5. Jarrett Allen
Injury Report: Collin Sexton OUT (hamstring), Matthew Dellavedova OUT (abdomen), Taurean Prince OUT (shoulder), Kevin Love OUT (calf)
#Cavs Collin Sexton won’t play in tonight’s game because of a sore hamstring. A source said it’s “minor” and “nothing of concern.” Same source said Sexton’s hamstring was sore over the weekend and into Monday’s game. Team felt it best to hold him out tonight.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) March 24, 2021
Odds
The Bulls are -7 point favorites for tonight’s matchup against the Cavaliers, according to the FanDuel Illinois Sportsbook (-310 ML). Meanwhile, the PointsBet Illinois Sportsbook (-320 ML) and the DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook (-305 ML) list the Bulls are a -7.5 point favorite.
You can sign up for each of those books below, and get yourself a nice deposit bonus in the process.
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3 Can't-Miss Player Props for Bulls vs. Cavaliers (March 24, 2021) https://t.co/rtX9QyVI2v
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) March 24, 2021
What to Watch For …
• Is anyone playing like they’re about to be on a different team tomorrow!? (just kidding … kinda)
• Garrett Temple is available for the first time in six games. Donovan didn’t put a limit on how much action he could see, but I have to assume it will not be a full workload. Also, it’ll be interesting to see who moves back out of the rotation (I’m assuming Arch).
• While I don’t necessarily think this is the most likely outcome, it’s possible this is Lauri Markkanen’s last game as a Chicago Bull. The big man has reportedly been the subject of trade interest around the league, and the Bulls front office has been listening to offers. But whether or not he is in Chicago past tomorrow, let’s hope we see a big-time performance from him tonight. The Cavaliers have a tough and athletic frontcourt pairing with Larry Nance Jr. and Jarrett Allen, so the Bulls will need aggressive Lauri to show up. The last game against the Utah Jazz was arguably his worst of the season, only scoring 8 points on 3-12 shooting.
• With Collin Sexton out (leads team with 24ppg), there is no reason this Bulls team shouldn’t be able to run up the score on the Cavs. Not only do they have the 24th-ranked defense in the NBA, but their offense sits dead-last. I’d love to see an aggressive Zach LaVine from the get-go to help this Bulls team grab a sizeable and (hopefully) sustainable early lead.
• Where the Bulls could run into some trouble: The paint (duh). The Cavaliers score the 3rd-most points per game inside, and we know this Bulls team isn’t the most equipped to handle physical teams (giving up the 4th-most points in the paint per game). Markkanen, Young, and Carter are all going to have to carry their weight if the Bulls want to have a scare-free night.
Get Caught Up …
Garrett Temple is available to play tonight vs. Cleveland, per Billy Donovan.
Temple has missed the past six games due to an ankle sprain. pic.twitter.com/Wuy5SecfnG
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 24, 2021
LIVE: Head Coach Billy Donovan’s media availability prior to tonight’s game against Cleveland https://t.co/3BhLWYr9Fp
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 24, 2021
Billy Donovan makes great point about pattern of Bulls fouling 3-point shooters. Said he's "part of the problem" because he's placed an emphasis on hard closeouts.
FWIW: Since Feb. 1, Bulls are 3rd in NBA in opp. 3-point attempts per game (30) and 1st in opp. 3P% (31.8%)
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) March 24, 2021
Are Bulls and Pelicans “Laying the Groundwork” for a Lonzo Ball Sign-and-Trade This Summer?https://t.co/6GP1UaC6jg
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) March 24, 2021
