Bulls vs. Markkanen Tonight, Let’s Talk About Tanking, and Other Bulls Bullets

The team that beat the Bucks and Celtics should have no problem against the Utah Jazz tonight.

The team that lost to the Magic and Thunder will have every single problem against the Jazz tonight.

Let’s see which quad shows up.

  • I’m prepared to rock back and forth in the fetal position for approximately three hours if the Bulls lose to Lauri Markkanen tonight. As if things couldn’t seem more disheveled in Chicago, they now have to battle a former franchise centerpiece that has looked like easily one of the best players in the league this season. Markkanen has gone from nothing more than a glorified seven-foot shooter to a full-blown offensive juggernaut. He’s averaging 21.7 points per game – technically more than Zach LaVine – and shooting 52.1 percent from the field. He’s rebounding far better than ever before and getting to the free-throw line at a career rate. The guy is playing exactly like the player Chicago always hoped he could be, and he now has a chance to make that hurt even more.
  • That is, of course, if he actually suits up. Markkanen has yet to miss a game this season but is now considered questionable for tonight’s game with a knee injury.
  • I wrote more about Markkanen recently here …
  • The good news is that Utah isn’t the same scalding hot team that started the season. The Jazz have dropped four in a row and have fallen to 12-10 on the year. They still hold the league’s 8th-best net rating, but they aren’t playing the same efficient two-way basketball that dropped jaws over the past several weeks. Instead, their defense now ranks just 23rd in the league, as opponents are shooting nearly 48.0 percent a night on this team. They’ve also been one of the league’s worst teams on the glass, allowing opponents to score the third-most 2nd-chance points per game.
  • So, all things considered, the Bulls actually feel like a somewhat decent matchup against this Jazz team. They have two high-level rebounders in Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond who can help keep possessions alive or get the ball out fast in transition. Not to mention, they have two high-level scorers who can attack a defense that has now allowed by far the most points in the paint per game this season.
  • Of course, there’s also a chance the Bulls are in a position to win and then blow it again.
  • If you want to be on the brink of tears about the current state of the Chicago Bulls, I recommend Michael Pina’s latest at The Ringer …
  • Simply put, I don’t agree that the Bulls should tank. While I can’t deny that they are in one of the more concerning situations in the NBA – and I wrote about just that here – I’m not exactly ready to press the panic button. Not only do I have zero appetite for another full-blown rebuild after how brutal the past half-decade turned out to be, but I think the front office has put itself in a situation where they have to keep pushing. Tanking right now doesn’t guarantee you a lottery pick. Let’s not forget that this year’s first-rounder belongs to the Orlando Magic and is top-4 protected. Sure, there is a chance they end up with a top-4 pick in this highly-intriguing draft, but there is also a greater chance they walk away with nothing. How could you stomach that?
  • Additionally, you just invested max money in Zach LaVine. A course has been set for the Bulls, and Arturas Karnisovas has repeatedly made clear that winning will remain the priority. Now, could I see a world where this organization takes a step back to re-organize this roster? Absolutely. Maybe that’s trading Nikola Vucevic. Maybe that’s trading Patrick Williams. Maybe that’s even seeing what the market is for DeMar DeRozan. What I can’t see right now, however, is a complete and utter sell-off. I think the front office will try to fix the mess they put themselves into before they just wipe the slate clean.
  • This freakin’ sucks.
  • Speaking of teams that probably should trade their vets …
  • written by

    Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

    more bulls news

    WOW: Minnesota Timberwolves Sale to Alex Rodriguez Falls Through

    The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a bomb on Thursday morning. According to a statement released by the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership group, the franchise is no longer for sale. A transition of power was thought to be in place over the...

    Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

    I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

    Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

    Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

    WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

    Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

    Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

    Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

    Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

    Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

    Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

    It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

    WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

    As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

    NBA Playoffs Update: Several Races Are Still Undecided

    The NBA season is winding down. We have some awesome races for the NBA Playoffs to keep an eye on in the final 2+ weeks of the season. The top seed in the West is still up for grabs in...

    Alex Caruso’s Status in Question for Matchup with Pacers

    The Chicago Bulls might be without their best defensive player against the best offensive team in the NBA. Not great! The latest injury report lists Alex Caruso as "questionable" for Wednesday night's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. Caruso has been...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Celtics vs. Hawks: Live Stream or on TV

    The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) hope to continue a three-game home winning stretch when hosting the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET.In their last time out, the Celtics lost 120-118 to the Hawks on Monday....

    Rangers vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Texas Rangers open their season as -120 favorites in a home matchup with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at 7:35 PM ET, live on ESPN.Nathan Eovaldi will get the ball for Texas while Chicago will counter with Justin Steele.Rangers...

    Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    Will Dejounte Murray make four 3-pointers when the Atlanta Hawks face the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Bogdan Bogdanovic needs to make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Atlanta Hawks meet the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under...

    Jayson Tatum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    At 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, it'll be the Boston Celtics versus the Atlanta Hawks, with Jayson Tatum needing three treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Jayson Tatum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJayson Tatum's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

    Jaylen Brown Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, Jaylen Brown must make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Boston Celtics play the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Jaylen Brown's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJaylen Brown's over/under for...

    Derrick White Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, Derrick White needs to make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Boston Celtics meet the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 7:30 PM ET.Derrick White's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksDerrick White's over/under for...

    WOW: Minnesota Timberwolves Sale to Alex Rodriguez Falls Through

    The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped a bomb on Thursday morning. According to a statement released by the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership group, the franchise is no longer for sale. A transition of power was thought to be in place over the...

    Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    more bulls news