NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls will be without DeMar DeRozan tonight as they hope to return to a .500 record.
The team’s top scorer is dealing with right hip soreness and will now miss just his fourth game all season.
For a Bulls team in the thick of a three-game win streak, this certainly feels like the kind of news that can kill momentum. While DeRozan has only averaged roughly 20.0 points over the last three games, he has dished 6.3 assists and hit his usual clutch buckets. The Bulls “Big 3” has looked far more comfortable playing off one another, too, so the question is whether or not LaVine and Vucevic can now translate that into a strong two-man game tonight.
Our original post on DeRozan’s status coming into the game can be seen below.
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According to the latest official injury report, the Chicago Bulls could be without DeMar DeRozan tonight.
The team’s top scorer is dealing with right phip soreness and is considered questionable for the matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. All things considered, this sounds like just some normal season wear-and-tear, which does make me wonder whether or not he’s actually a candidate to sit out tonight.
Since it’s the backend of a back-to-back and DeRozan has played all but three of the team’s 53 games this season, the Bulls may be keen on him taking the night off. DeRozan, on the other hand, is notoriously known for his availability. The six-time All-Star isn’t normally one to accept a rest day, so my best guess is he’s pushing to step on the floor tonight.
If one thing is for sure, the Bulls would love to have him out there tonight. Not only do they have a chance to put together their first four-game winning streak of the season, but a win would put them back at .500 with a little over two months of the year left to go. While Memphis has struggled in recent weeks without big man Steven Adams, there is no doubt getting the win tonight would be way harder without DeRozan in the starting lineup.
Anyway, Alex Caruso also remains questionable for tonight’s game with a foot injury. The guard was a game-time decision heading into the battle with San Antonio last night, so let’s hope he can prove healthy enough to take on Ja Morant tonight.
