NEWSLETTER
Maybe they’ll surprise us?
No? Ugh, fine.
Meet the Opponents:
• 4/19 @ Celtics: (31-26): Luke Kornet Revenge Game!
• 4/21 @ Cavaliers: (20-36): We’re trying to tank, so we let you win that first time.
• 4/22 vs. Hornets: (28-28): Ask Lauri what it’s like to miss so many dunks. Miles wants to know.
• 4/24 @ Heat: (29-28): Jimmy Butler Revenge Game Vol. 6!
Bulls Roster Notes
Expected Starters:
1. Coby White
2. Garrett Temple
3. Patrick Williams
4. Daniel Theis
5. Nikola Vucevic
Unavailable/Injured: Zach LaVine OUT (NBA Protocol)
Opponent Roster Notes
Celtics Expected Starters:
1. Kemba Walker
2. Marcus Smart
3. Semi Ojeleye
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Tristian Thompson
Cavaliers Expected Starters:
1. Darius Garland
2. Collin Sexton
3. Isaac Okoro
4. Kevin Love
5. Jarrett Allen
Hornets Expected Starters:
1. Terry Rozier
2. Cody Martin
3. Miles Bridges
4. Jalen McDaniels
5. Vernon Carey Jr.
Heat Expected Starters:
1. Kendrick Nunn
2. Duncan Robinson
3. Andre Iguodala
4. Trevor Ariza
5. Bam Adebayo
Unavailable/Injured (at the start of the week):
Celtics: Evan Fournier OUT (NBA Protocol), Robert Williams OUT (knee), Kemba Walker QUESTIONABLE (illness), Jaylen Brown QUESTIONABLE (illness), Jayson Tatum PROBABLE (ankle)
Cavaliers: Damyean Dotson OUT (knee), Dylan Windler OUT (knee), Larry Nance Jr. OUT (personal)
Hornets: LaMelo Ball OUT (wrist), Gordon Hayward OUT (foot), Malik Monk OUT (ankle), Nate Darling OUT (ankle), Devonte’ Graham DAY-TO-DAY (quad)
Heat: Victor Oladipo OUT (knee), Jimmy Butler OUT (ankle)
Injury updates via ESPN.
Four Factors
Bulls: 55.0 EFG% (7th), 15.2 TOV% (26th), 26.8 OREB% (15th), .204 FTA RATE (30th)
Celtics: 54.5 EFG% (11th), 14.1 TOV% (19th), 28.8 OREB% (3rd), .236 FTA RATE (20th)
Cavaliers: 50.8 EFG% (29th), 15.5 TOV% (28th), 27.7 OREB% (9th), .256 FTA RATE (10th)
Hornets: 53.8 EFG% (16th), 15.5 TOV% (27th), 27.3 OREB% (11th), .240 FTA RATE (17th)
Heat: 53.6 EFG% (18th), 14.9 TOV% (25th), 24.1 OREB% (28th), .259 FTA RATE (7th)
What to Watch For …
Bulls: The Chicago Bulls snapped a five-game losing streak at the end of last week with a much-needed double-digit victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Coby White and Lauri Markkanen played a pivotal role in this team’s ability to close out the W, with Markkanen hitting a huge 3 with roughly two minutes remaining and White assisting on three of the team’s last four baskets. There is no question that if the Bulls stand any chance at picking up some victories in LaVine’s absence that both these players will have to continue to step up in a big way. Each will also have to continue to hit some big shots behind the arc. The Celtics, Hornets, and Heat all rank in the top-12 of the fewest points allowed in the paint per game (only Heat rank in top-12 for lowest opponent 3-point percentage).
Celtics: The Celtics might be pretty banged-up for their matchup with the Bulls, but it might not matter. Jayson Tatum is playing as well as anyone in the league right now. Boston’s superstar is averaging 32.7 points per game over the Celtics six-game winning streak, shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 46.3 percent from behind the arc. He is scoring at a career-high 68 percent clip at the rim this season, which has certainly been a tough area to defend for this Bulls team, who have allowed the 4th-most points in the paint per game.
Cavaliers: All five Cleveland starters scored in double-figures in Saturday’s matchup, but the Bulls bench outscored the Cavs a ridiculous 45-15. The Bulls’ depth has got to come up big again. Simple as that.
Hornets: The Hornets may be without two of their best players, but they still have talent that can give this Bulls problems. Terry Rozier is an electric lead scoring guard who is shooting efficiently at all three levels. His mid-range game, specifically, has taken a huge step forward this season, going from a 37 percent success rate to a 50 percent success rate (which ranks in the 94th percentile), per Cleaning the Glass. Meanwhile, as Rozier mans the perimeter, forward Miles Bridges looks to kill the rim any chance he gets. The athletic duo has helped the Hornets average the 6th-most fast-break points per game, so the Bulls defense will have to be on their A-game in transition.
Heat: With Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt and Jimmy Butler in the backcourt, there is no wonder the Heat rank 7th in defense and allow the fewest points in the paint per game. I don’t love anything about this matchup for the Bulls, but if they can shoot efficiently and take advantage of Miami’s occasional turnover troubles, there is a world where their offense keeps them alive late into the 4th.
