Win or lose … we got some good news!
But, seriously, they better win.
Alex Caruso Has Been Cleared for Contact and Patrick Williams Isn’t Far Behind!https://t.co/PH9heiIoTN pic.twitter.com/8lveR3cqM0
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) March 9, 2022
Game Info
Chicago Bulls (39-25) at Detroit Pistons (18-47) – 6:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio)
Projected Starters
Chicago Bulls
1. Ayo Dosunmu
2. Zach LaVine
3. DeMar DeRozan
4. Javonte Green
5. Nikola Vucevic
Injury Report: Lonzo Ball OUT (knee), Alex Caruso OUT (wrist), Patrick Williams OUT (wrist), Nikola Vucevic QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
Detroit Pistons
1. Cory Joseph
2. Cade Cunningham
3. Saddiq Bey
4. Jerami Grant
5. Marvin Bagley III
Injury Report: Killian Hayes QUESTIONABLE (adductor), Isaiah Stewart OUT (knee), Frank Jackson OUT (back)
Odds
The Bulls walk into tonight as a -6.0 favorite over the Pistons at FanDuel Illinois Sportsbook, and a -6.5 favorite over at the PointsBet Illinois Sportsbook. Click on either link to sign up and pick the Bulls to cover (… or pick the opposite, I guess …)!
What to Watch For …
• A matchup with the 3rd-worst team in the NBA is pretty much a must-win, and it seems like head coach Billy Donovan knows it:
Bulls aren't yet at the desperation point of playing DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine all 48 minutes tonight, Billy Donovan says, just for those who are wondering.
But he agrees a win would be really helpful and he's willing to play them a few extra minutes if circumstances dictate.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) March 9, 2022
• Nikola Vucevic is a game-time decision again tonight, and achieving Donovan’s goal would be a lot easier with him on the floor. Not only could he take advantage of this shorthanded frontcourt, but he was a big reason why the Bulls were able to shut it down early the last time these two played. Vucevic scored 22 points on a 10-18 showing from the field in just 27 minutes of action to lead the Bulls to a 133-87 victory on January 11th. He also grabbed 8 rebounds, dished 4 assists, and grabbed 2 steals. It was a swiftly dominant performance, and it’s one the Bulls would love for him to replicate tonight.
• Can this be a get-right game for DeMar DeRozan? The Bulls’ leading scorer has been surprisingly inefficient over the past four games, shooting just 41.0 percent from the field while he averaging 23.0 points a night. We can accept a “slump” (if you can even call it that) after what he’s done all season long, but tonight feels like a good opportunity to get back in a groove with the 25th-ranked defense on the other side of the ball.
• A lot more on what the Pistons bring to the table in here …
Good News(!), Trying to Snap the Losing Streak, LeBron Really Wanted Caruso Back, and Other Bulls Bulletshttps://t.co/DBJK6tASja
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) March 9, 2022