Keys to Chicago Bulls’ home game vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Chicago Bulls (16-19) host the Cleveland Cavaliers (22-14) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 132-118 home win against the Pistons last night. Zach LaVine had a season-high 43 points, to go along with six assists and three rebounds, and DeMar DeRozan added 22 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Lonzo Ball is still out with a left knee injury as the Bulls look to win their third straight game. Derrick Jones Jr. (left ankle sprain) is day-to-day.

Cleveland Cavaliers (22-14) vs. Chicago Bulls (16-19)

Saturday, December 31 – 07:00 PM ET at United Center

Cleveland Cavaliers

Points Per Game: 111.5 (23rd of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 106.3 (1st of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 28.8 (27th of 30)
Pace: 95.5 (30th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 114.6 (11th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 109.3 (1st of 30)
Net Rating: +5.3 (2nd of 30)

Chicago Bulls

Points Per Game: 114.1 (16th of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 115.1 (18th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 32.2 (22nd of 30)
Pace: 100 (13th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 112.8 (18th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 113.8 (18th of 30)
Net Rating: -1 (22nd of 30)

Limit Isaac Okoro’s impact in the game

Isaac Okoro only played 21 minutes on Wednesday’s 135-126 road loss against the Pacers, but he was effective offensively, scoring 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting off the bench and zero turnovers. Okoro also had three rebounds and two assists.

Defensively, Okoro made an impact as well, and he could pressure Bulls’ ball-handlers on Saturday and get a hand in the face of their shooters. While Okoro has to improve on offense, he’s looked great moving without the ball. Okoro had a +7 against the Pacers, the highest +/- for the Cavaliers, and the Bulls must limit his impact against them.

Pace of play

Cleveland has revived the use of big lineups. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley give them versatility, as they can defend the rim and the paint successfully, but what may work in Chicago’s favor in this game is that Cleveland is the slowest-paced team in the league. The Cavaliers average an NBA-worst 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes.

The Bulls, on the other hand, rank 13th in the league, averaging 100 possessions per game. The key to this game for the Bulls is to control the tempo. The Bulls have had some success against slow-pace teams — defeating low-possession teams like the Raptors, Celtics, Mavericks and Heat.

Noteworthy

The Cavaliers won the last meeting, 128-96 on October 22nd. LaVine led the Bulls with 23 points.

Chicago beat Cleveland three of the last four times.

The Bulls are 6-4 in the last 10 matchups against the Cavaliers.

Cavaliers’ projected lineup: Allen, Mobley, Stevens, Mitchell, Garland

Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, DeRozan, LaVine, Dosunmu

Injury Report: Ricky Rubio (left ACL surgery) is out for the Cavaliers. Darius Garland (right thumb sprain), Evan Mobley (right ankle soreness), and Cedi Osman (lower back soreness) are listed as questionable. Robin Lopez (illness) is probable

Lonzo Ball is out for the Bulls with a left knee injury. Derrick Jones Jr. (left ankle sprain) is day-to-day