NEWSLETTER
The Bulls aren’t necessarily in a win-or-the-season-is-over situation tonight, but it’s pretty damn close.
Bulls’ paths to play-in:
Bulls go 4-0
Pacers go 1-3 OR Wizards go 1-2 OR Hornets go 0-4Bulls go 3-1
Pacers go 0-4 OR Wizards go 0-3Any other scenario and Bulls are eliminated.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 11, 2021
Broadcast Info
Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls – 7:00 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score (audio)
Chicago Bulls
Projected Starters:
1. Coby White
2. Zach LaVine
3. Patrick Williams
4. Daniel Theis
5. Nikola Vucevic
Injury Report: Troy Brown Jr. QUESTIONABLE (ankle), Daniel Theis QUESTIONABLE (hip)
No Troy Brown Jr. tonight vs. Nets, Billy Donovan says. Had been questionable with sprained ankle — and is getting closer — but needs more practice time (last played April 19).
Daniel Theis (hip) is on track to return. Just has to warm up to be sure.
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) May 11, 2021
Injury Report: Daniel Theis and Troy Brown Jr. Are Both Questionable for Tonighthttps://t.co/X6bIxc0cN8
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) May 11, 2021
Brooklyn Nets
Projected Starters:
1. Kyrie Irving
2. Bruce Bowen Jr.
3. Joe Harris
4. Kevin Durant
5. Blake Griffin
Injury Report: Troy Brown Jr. OUT (ankle), Daniel Theis OUT (hip)
What to Watch For …
• One small gigantic thing has changed since the last time these two teams met: Kevin Durant is back. While the Bulls’ win over the Nets on April 4th was impressive, it’s noteworthy that it didn’t come against one of the league’s best players. Durant has averaged 31.8 points per game on 47.8 percent shooting from the field and 45.2 percent shooting from downtown over his last four games. If they want to keep their winning streak alive, they are going to have to see one of their better defensive performances of the season.
• Fortunately, defense has actually been one of the Bulls’ best attributes as of late. The team has held opponents to under 100 points in each of three past games, all of which were wins. Accomplishing that tonight will be nearly impossible (the Nets average the most points per game), but it should at least make us feel a tiny bit better about the effort we should see on that end of that floor tonight. Not to mention, the probable return of Daniel Theis – who Donovan told reporters would be available if warmups go smoothly – should give the Bulls an extra boost.
• Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic have been dominating recently, but don’t forget about Coby White. The Bulls second-year guard has averaged 20.0 points (50.0 FG%, 48.4 3PT%), 4.7 assists, and 5.0 rebounds over this three-game win streak. To even stand a chance against this Nets team, the Bulls will need White to stay on this track tonight.
• A key contributor to the Bulls’ April victory over the Nets: Free throws. Chicago gets to the line fewer than any team in the league, but in that matchup, they took advantage of Brooklyn’s questionable defense and got to the line for 30 free-throw attempts. Even more impressive, they only sent the Irving-led squad to the line for SEVEN free-throw attempts. More of that tonight, please.
• Tomas Satoransky scored 19 points and 11 assists in the Bulls and Nets’ first meeting. I’d gladly take that again.
• More in here …
Thanks for Nothing Cavs, A Tough Week Ahead, LaVine’s Grind, and Other Bulls Bulletshttps://t.co/O0BvkCibBb
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) May 11, 2021
Get Caught Up …
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1392190852009799680?s=20
Final Bulls Weekly Preview: Nets (x2), Raptors, Bucks, May 11-16, 2021https://t.co/vkdhVFhrOb
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) May 11, 2021
