Game Preview and Injury Report: Chicago Bulls going for third straight win vs. visiting San Antonio Spurs
The Chicago Bulls (25-27) host the San Antonio Spurs (14-39) tonight. The Bulls erased a 17-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Trail Blazers 129-121 on Saturday. Zach LaVine led the way with 36 points, six rebounds and five assists, DeMar DeRozan had 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Nikola Vucevic added 23 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the victory.
San Antonio Spurs (14-39) vs. Chicago Bulls (25-27)
Monday, February 6 – 08:00 PM ET at United Center
San Antonio Spurs
- Points Per Game: 112.8 (21st of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 122.5 (30th of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 43.7 (1st of 30)
- Pace: 101 (7th of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 111.2 (28th of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 120.9 (30th of 30)
- Net Rating: -9.6 (30th of 30)
Chicago Bulls
- Points Per Game: 114.6 (15th of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 114.2 (17th of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 30.3 (24th of 30)
- Pace: 99.6 (15th of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 113.8 (19th of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 113.5 (12th of 30)
- Net Rating: +0.3 (18th of 30)
Contain Keldon Johnson
Keldon Johnson had 18 points on 5 of 11 shooting with three rebounds and three assists over 31 minutes during Friday’s 137-125 loss against the 76ers.
Johnson is San Antonio’s best player and he’s pieced together several strong scoring performances as of late. The 23-year-old forward has scored 20 or more points in seven of his last 10 games, averaging 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 34.6 minutes over that span. The Bulls must contain Johnson to win their 26th game this season.
Keep playing with urgency
The Bulls didn’t panic when they were down by 17 points against the Trail Blazers. Chicago made 48 of their 80 attempts from the field (60 percent), they had 32 assists and five players scored in double figures.
Consistency has been an issue for the Bulls this season. At times they’ve taken one step forward and then two steps back, as they were able to defeat contenders only to lose against weak opponents. The Bulls have won two straight games and Monday’s game against the Spurs is a must-win contest.
San Antonio is on an 8-game losing streak and Chicago is the better team, while also playing at home. The Bulls will not make the playoffs unless they give themselves a chance to win consistently, especially at home.
Noteworthy
- The Spurs won the last meeting, 129-124 on October 28, 2022. DeRozan led the Bulls with 33 points.
- San Antonio beat Chicago four of the last five times.
- The Bulls are 3-7 in the last 10 matchups against the Spurs.
- Spurs’ projected lineup: Poeltl, Bates-Diop, Johnson, Richardson, Branham
- Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, LaVine, DeRozan, Dosunmu
- Spurs’ Injury Report: Devin Vassell (left knee surgery), Romeo Langford (left adductor tightness) and Jeremy Sochan (lower back soreness) will miss this game. Tre Jones (left foot soreness) and Keldon Johnson (left ankle soreness) are listed as questionable
- Bulls’ Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) will also miss this game. Patrick Williams (right ankle sprain) is probable and Alex Caruso (right midfoot sprain) is questionable against the Spurs
