Let’s just say, I have low expectations moving forward.
Broadcast Info
Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls – 7:00 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score (audio)
Chicago Bulls
Projected Starters:
1. Coby White
2. Garrett Temple
3. Patrick Williams
4. Thaddeus Young
5. Nikola Vucevic
Injury Report: Zach LaVine OUT (NBA Protocol)
Zach LaVine Enters NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols, Will Miss Several Gameshttps://t.co/mkE9bpQjkL
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 15, 2021
Memphis Grizzlies
Projected Starters:
1. Ja Morant
2. Grayson Allen
3. Dillion Brooks
4. Kyle Anderson
5. Jonas Valanciunas
Injury Report: Jaren Jackson Jr. OUT (knee), De’Anthony Melton OUT (leg), Justice Winslow OUT (quad)
What to Watch For …
• Here we are. The Chicago Bulls have lost four straight games and will now be without their best player indefinitely. To say I’m not excited about the remaining 18 games this season would be an understatement. Now, with that said, the Bulls did play surprisingly normally without Zach LaVine a handful of games back. They kept things very competitive against a Phoenix Suns team and received three double-doubles from Vucevic, Markkanen, and Young. I’m not saying we should expect the same kind of performance tonight, but perhaps LaVine’s absence is the kick in the ass this team needs to play a more aggressive and physical brand of basketball. At least … I hope.
• Tomas Satoransky is apparently sidelined tonight as well due to a non-COVID related illness, per Billy Donovan, so Coby White will start in his place. So the question now remains: Who will start in LaVine’s place? My best guess is we see either Garrett Temple or Troy Brown Jr. get the nod tonight. However, when Sato returns, I do think White could remain in the starting lineup to fill LaVine’s offensive void.
• Daniel Theis scored an impressive 18 points on 8-12 shooting on Wednesday night against this team, the Bulls will likely need him to have a similar performance on that side of the ball with an even more impactful performance on the defensive end. The Grizzlies outrebounded the Bulls 51-40 in that matchup, and they also won the points in the paint battle 60-54.
• Expect to see Vooch’s assist numbers take a hike in these upcoming games. I expect a lot of offensive to run through him.
• Please, for the love of basketball, get Patrick Williams involved.
Get Caught Up …
LIVE: Billy Donovan pregame vs. Memphis https://t.co/XILat8cfl6
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 16, 2021
Nobody else placed in health and safety protocols for Bulls on injury report released just now.
Satoransky remains probable with back spasms.
LaVine is out, and team is preparing for multi-game absence.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 16, 2021
With LaVine Out Indefinitely, Someone From the Supporting Cast Has to Step Into the Spotlighthttps://t.co/rdCFYPgPkM
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 16, 2021
Time to Make Do Without LaVine and Other Bulls Noteshttps://t.co/mJLdwidaZe
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 16, 2021