Game preview and injury report: Chicago Bulls look to stop skid vs. Charlotte Hornets
The Chicago Bulls (36-40) visit the Charlotte Hornets (26-51) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a disappointing 121-110 home loss against the Lakers on Wednesday. Nikola Vucevic led the way with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, DeMar DeRozan had 22 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Zach LaVine added 16 points, six assists, and three steals in the setback.
Chicago Bulls (36-40) vs. Charlotte Hornets (26-51)
Friday, March 31 – 7:00 PM ET at Spectrum Center
Chicago Bulls
- Points Per Game: 113.3 (21st of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 112.5 (8th of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 30.7 (24th of 30)
- Pace: 98.6 (18th of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 113.5 (24th of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 112.7 (6th of 30)
- Net Rating: +0.8 (13th of 30)
Charlotte Hornets
- Points Per Game: 111.5 (27th of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 117.3 (22nd of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 29.4 (26th of 30)
- Pace: 101.3 (3rd of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 109.5 (30th of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 115.2 (20th of 30)
- Net Rating: -5.7 (27th of 30)
Charlotte on a 3 game win streak
After surprising back-to-back wins against the Dallas Mavericks, the Hornets edged out the Oklahoma City Thunder as well. P.J. Washington got hot and went off for 43 points, six rebounds and five assists on 16-of-24 shooting and 5-of-9 from three-point range in Tuesday’s 137-134 road win against the Thunder.
Washington is averaging 30.7 points, eight rebounds, four assists, 1.3 steals, and 3.3 three-pointers in his last three games. With LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre Jr. all out, Washington will be the team’s primary playmaker, and the Bulls wiil certainly have to contain him to win their 37th game this season.
Feed Vucevic and find better shots from beyond the arc
The Lakers outmatched the Bulls on Wednesday. LA’s decision to double-team LaVine and DeRozan forced them to take uncomfortable jumpers and it paid off for the visitors. While the Bulls attempted 33 three-pointers against 20 from the Lakers, they made only nine while the Lakers made seven, mostly because LaVine and Patrick Williams were a combined 0-for-7 from beyond the arc.
Vucevic was the Bulls’ best player, he had 19 points in the first half, benefiting from the attention that LaVine and DeRozan got, but just like during most of the season, Chicago stopped feeding him in the second half. Vooch scored just 10 more points for the rest of the game. The Bulls must feed Vucevic all game long and have better shot selection from three-point range to beat the Hornets.
Noteworthy
- The Bulls won the last meeting, 114-98 on February 2. Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls with 22 points.
- Chicago beat Charlotte three of the last five times.
- The Bulls are 7-3 in the last 10 games against the Hornets.
Projected lineups
- Bulls: Vucevic, Williams, LaVine, DeRozan, Beverley
- Hornets: Richards, Washington, McGowens, Mykhailiuk, Maledon
Injury report
- Bulls: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness), Alex Caruso (left midfoot soreness) and Andre Drummond (personal reasons) are listed as questionable.
- Hornets: LaMelo Ball (fractured right ankle), Terry Rozier (right foot discomfort), Cody Martin (left knee soreness), and James Bouknight (sprained right ankle) are out. Kelly Oubre Jr. (left shoulder strain) and Dennis Smith Jr. (right great toe sprain) are questionable, and Gordon Hayward (left thumb sprain) is doubtful.
