A Chance to Turn the Tide, Plenty of Storylines, Javonte Green’s Status, and Other Bulls Bullets

If the Chicago Bulls want to turn around their season, it starts with winning games like tonight.

  • I know it’s borderline laughable that a matchup with the Washington Wizards feels like a big deal, but that’s the situation the Bulls have put themselves in. The Wizards sit two spots ahead of Chicago in the early season standings with an 11-13 record. However, after a decent start to the year, they have started to drop off over the past couple of weeks in a rather significant way. Not only have they lost their past three matchups (two of which came against teams with a losing record), but they have also lost Bradley Beal for at least a week. Not great news for the organization with the hardest schedule between now and the new year.
  • We could very well begin to look back at this game – the first of four at the United Center over the next five games – as the jolt of momentum this Bulls team needs. Of course, there is also a world where they lose and poke more holes into this slowly sinking ship. But I sincerely believe the former can happen, a long asZach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan can find a way to get on the same page.
  • LaVine finally broke out of his slump against the Sacramento Kings, scoring 41 points on a much-more-familiar 16-28 shooting display. Unfortunately, LaVine’s rise came alongside one of DeRozan’s least impactful performances of the year, as the All-Star sank just 6 of his 18 attempts from the field. The Wizards have one of the worst defenses the Bulls have played all season long, and they currently hold the league’s worst defensive rating over their last five games. If there were any time for the Bulls’ two best offensive players to sync up finally, it would be now.
  • Something to keep in mind for tonight’s matchup: Washington does not cough up the basketball. One of the few things the Bulls have had going for them this season is their ability to generate turnovers. Thanks to forcing roughly 16 TOVs a night, Chicago scores the third-most points per game off opponent screw-ups. Also, the Wizards are a pretty average rebounding team, so the transition and fastbreak opportunities may not be as plentiful as the Bulls want.
  • I can already sense a large portion of the fanbase throwing in the towel this season. And, look, I get it. This start has been extremely discouraging, and it’s difficult to see a path where things take a complete 180. With that said, it’s still early. Not only is the East so jam-packed that only a small winning streak can get the Bulls back into the playoff picture, but there are also so many storylines worth following. What are the Bulls going to do with Nikola Vucevic? Can Patrick Williams start to come into his own? Will Lonzo Ball actually make a heroic return? If the team begins to win, do they have an aggressive move up their sleeve? If the team starts to lose … do they have a bold move up their sleeve? Whether the wins stack up or not, there is still going to be a lot to talk about.
  • NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson answered some depressing questions:
  • The Bulls have listed Javonte Green as “doubtful” for tonight’s matchup against the Wizards. Green had to sit out the team’s last game with knee soreness, which opened the door for Derrick Jones Jr. to see increased minutes. Will Billy Donovan do the same thing tonight? If I had to guess, I think we see a lot more of Andre Drummond, whose minutes have sunk over the past few games. With Kristaps Prozingis and Daniel Gafford on the floor, Drummond’s size feels most important.
  • Alex Caruso is also listed on the injury report as “questionable” due to an ankle sprain. If Caruso has to sit out, that would likely mean Ayo Dosunmu returns to the Bulls’ starting lineup alongside Patrick Williams. Unfortunately for the Bulls, that has not been a winning combination:
  • How the heck wasn’t there an earthquake!?
  • If I cared about either of these teams … I’d be fuming.
  • YOU LOVE TO SEE IT! MORE MORE MORE!
  • 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

    Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 110, Trail Blazers 107 – March 18, 2024

    The beginning of this one gave me some mixed emotions. First, Alex Caruso was forced to exit and go to the locker room just 3 minutes into the game. Having entered the day as questionable with toe soreness, it sure...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    Damian Lillard Pulled Up to Watch the Bulls Play the Trail Blazers

    Damian Lillard wants to be traded to the Chicago Bulls confirmed. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star starter was a surprise guest at the Chicago Bulls' Monday night game. Lillard made the drive down from Milwaukee for an opportunity to sit courtside...

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

    Tough week ahead, can't lose this one. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1769695253408198745?s=20 Game Info Portland Trail Blazers (19-48) at Chicago Bulls (34-35) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Ayo Dosunmu Alex Caruso DeMar...

    Bulls Weekly Preview: Trail Blazers, Rockets, Celtics – March 18-24

    At the end of the day, I'm pretty sure a 2-2 effort last week was about what most expected from the Bulls. How they got there, however, wasn't exactly the most conventional of routes. But, hey, nothing is really ever...

    This Might be the Most Alex Caruso Stat Ever …

    Alex Caruso’s name should already be written down on All-Defensive First Team ballots – in pen.  The Chicago Bulls’ guard joined the prestigious club for the first time during the 2022-23 season. While the team as a whole struggled to...

    LeBron James and JJ Redick’s New Podcast Actually Sounds Great

    While it sure feels like everyone and their mother has a podcast these days, LeBron James’ new venture with former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick sounds worthwhile.  The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand was the first to announce the new podcast titled “Mind...

    Another Must-Win, Bulls Bracket Ideas, Defensive Drop Off, Happy “I’m Back” Day, and Other Bulls Bullets

    Pssh, the Chicago Bulls have been bringing the Madness since October! March Madness is among the best stretches in the sports calendar every year. Not only do we get to spend hours staring at our brackets and pretending we know...

    Injury Updates on Coby White and Alex Caruso Ahead of Game with Portland

    The Chicago Bulls could be without two starting backcourt players against the Portland Trail Blazers. The latest official injury report puts both Coby White and Alex Caruso's availability for Monday night into question. Of course, White has been sidelined since...

    WATCH: Kyrie Irving Beats Nuggets At The Buzzer for Epic 107-105 Win

    Between the conference tournaments wrapping up, the Players Championship's amazing conclusion, and some awesome NBA matchups it's been a phenomenal Sunday of sports viewing. With all that was on, if you didn't have the Nuggets and Mavericks game on you...

    Latest News

    Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Vancouver Canucks are -205 on the moneyline against the Buffalo Sabres (+170) on Tuesday, with this game taking place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-205)Underdog: Sabres (+170)Total: 6.5Best Canucks vs. Sabres Promo Codes[lasso...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

    D’Angelo Russell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, D'Angelo Russell must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers play the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 10:30 PM ET.D'Angelo Russell's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksD'Angelo Russell's over/under for...

    LeBron James Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, LeBron James needs to make three from downtown on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 10:30 PM ET.LeBron James' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksLeBron James' over/under for...

    Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

    The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

    more bulls news