Game preview and injury report: Chicago Bulls try to keep streak going vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Chicago Bulls (36-38) visit the Los Angeles Clippers (39-36) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 118-108 road win against the Lakers on Sunday. Zach LaVine led the way with 32 points and four assists, DeMar DeRozan had 17 points, 10 assists and six rebounds and four assists, and Coby White added 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 26 minutes off the bench in the victory.
Chicago Bulls (36-38) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (39-36)
Monday, March 27 – 10:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena
Chicago Bulls
- Points Per Game: 113.4 (20th of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 112.2 (7th of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 30.7 (24th of 30)
- Pace: 98.6 (17th of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 113.6 (24th of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 112.4 (5th of 30)
- Net Rating: +1.2 (11th of 30)
Los Angeles Clippers
- Points Per Game: 112.8 (23rd of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 112.6 (10th of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 40.9 (3rd of 30)
- Pace: 97.8 (24th of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 114.4 (19th of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 114.2 (13th of 30)
- Net Rating: +0.3 (17th of 30)
Contain Bones Hyland
With Paul George sidelined due to an injury, the Clippers are in need of other players stepping up to provide assistance on offense to Kawhi Leonard. Bones Hyland was the surprising leading scorer with 18 points in Saturday’s 131-110 home loss against the Pelicans. He also added seven assists and two rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting and 3-of-8 from three-point range across 24 minutes off the bench. His turnover count was an issue, though, as he had five of the team’s 19 in the game.
Hyland remained in the rotation for the second straight game, which won’t change because Paul George and Norman Powell are out.
The Clippers called Hyland’s number early, and he’s getting ample playing time and delivering. He had 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds on 6-of-13 from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc in 26 minutes off the bench in Thursday’s 127-105 home win against the Thunder.
The 22-year old guard is averaging 17 points, seven assists and three rebounds in 25 minutes over his last two games, shooting 52 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from three-point range. The Bulls must contain Hyland to win their 37th game this season.
Score in transition
Scoring in transition helped the Bulls’ half-court offense against the Lakers. They forced turnovers so they could get out in transition. The Bulls forced the Lakers into 18 turnovers, and they committed just nine of them.
This nine-turnover differential led to the Bulls outscoring the Lakers 18-9 in fastbreak points. The Bulls must force the Clippers to make mistakes and outscore them in fastbreak points.
Noteworthy
- The Clippers won the last meeting, 108-103 on January 31. Vucevic led the Bulls with 23 points.
- Los Angeles beat Chicago three of the last five times.
- The Bulls are 3-7 in the last 10 matchups against the Clippers.
Projected lineups:
- Bulls: Vucevic, Williams, LaVine, DeRozan, Beverley
- Clippers: Zubac, Morris, Leonard, Gordon, Westbrook
Injury report
- Bulls: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) will also miss this game.
- Clippers: Paul George (sprained right knee), Norman Powell (left shoulder subluxation) and Brandon Boston Jr. (tailbone contusion) are out against the Bulls.
