Let’s try this again. The Bulls have another crack at breaking Cleveland’s undefeated streak to start the 2024 season tonight in their NBA Cup opener.
Game Info
Chicago Bulls (5-7) at Cleveland Cavaliers (13-0) – 6:30 p.m. CT on Chicago Sports Network (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio)
Projected Starting Lineups
Chicago Bulls
- Coby White
- Josh Giddey
- Zach LaVine
- Patrick Williams
- Nikola Vucevic
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Darius Garland
- Donovan Mitchell
- Dean Wade
- Evan Mobley
- Jarrett Allen
Odds
Chicago comes into today’s game as 10-point underdogs against Cleveland at DraftKings Sportsbook.
What to Watch For
- I’ll say it. I’m having a lot more fun this Bulls season than I expected. Are they very good? No. But they’re also not bad. They might be if and when they trade Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine, but for now, this team has been a lot of fun to watch. They play hard, they play fast, and they’re not afraid to shoot threes. There will be nights when they look terrible because they can’t hit a shot, and their defense is…not good. But I’m having a lot of fun watching Bulls basketball this year, which honestly is more than I can say about the last two seasons.
- Tonight is actually a really fun opportunity if you think about it. Are the Bulls going to win? Probably not. But they played the Cavs well at home earlier this week, and they really don’t have anything to lose. Cleveland is playing great basketball, the Bulls are in a rebuild-type mode. There’s nothing really to worry about going into tonight’s game. In theory, Chicago should be able to play free and just let it fly like they have all year. They most certainly have the talent if things go well to hand Cleveland their first loss, and if they don’t, then so what? No one expected them to anyway.
- Coby White has been awesome this year. He’s continued his breakout offensively. He’s affecting the game in multiple facets – distributing, rebounding, and even defensively. But I’m still waiting for a game offensively he just goes off. Last year in Cleveland, I believe it was the game before the All-Star break, he dropped 32 points and went toe-to-toe with Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs. I’d love to see something similar tonight. Chicago lost that game, and if they do again tonight then whatever. But seeing Coby go out and be the guy again tonight against the best team in the East would be awesome.
Injury Report
Chicago Bulls:
- Lonzo Ball OUT (wrist)
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Jarrett Allen PROBABLE (leg)
- Evan Mobley QUESTIONABLE (illness)
- Sam Merrill OUT (ankle)
- Max Strus OUT (hip)
- Emoni Bates OUT (knee)