Keys to Chicago Bulls’ road game vs. Miami Heat

The Chicago Bulls (11-18) visit the Miami Heat (16-15) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 150-126 road loss against the Timberwolves on Sunday.

DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 29 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds, and Zach LaVine added 22 points and 6 assists in the loss.

Lonzo Ball is still out with a left knee injury as the Bulls look to avoid losing their fifth straight game. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) is probable for this game.

Chicago Bulls (11-18) vs. Miami Heat (16-15)

Tuesday, December 20 – 07:30 PM ET at FTX Arena

Chicago Bulls

Points Per Game: 113.2 (15th of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 115.1 (20th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 33.3 (18th of 30)
Pace: 100.5 (10th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 111.4 (22nd of 30)
Defensive Rating: 113.2 (18th of 30)
Net Rating: -1.8 (24th of 30)

Miami Heat

Points Per Game: 108.1 (29th of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 109 (5th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 26.2 (29th of 30)
Pace: 97.4 (27th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 110 (26th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 110.8 (7th of 30)
Net Rating: -0.8 (20th of 30)

More effort on defense

“I can switch to zone, I can switch to different pick and roll coverages. But if the compete level is not high enough collectively as a group out there it doesn’t make a difference,” Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said after Sunday’s 150-126 beatdown against the Timberwolves.

The Bulls’ defense put up good numbers earlier this season, despite missing great personnel on that end of the court. The team’s effort levels got well-deserved validation, but it was not sustainable, and the defense regressed.

The Bulls relied too much on forcing turnovers, which equals depending on effort. With that effort gone, the results are disastrous, and the Bulls won’t end their four-game losing streak unless they make a better effort on defense.

Defend the three-point line

The Timberwolves, who were 24th in the league from three-point range (33.4%) and makes (10.8) before their game against the Bulls on Sunday, made five of their first seven attempts from beyond the arc and were 6-of-12 (50%) in the first quarter, and 12-of-21 (57.1%) in the first half.

Minnesota’s hot start from distance set the tone, and they finished the game 23-of-43 (53.5%). Chicago’s defense was porous inside, allowing Minnesota to shoot 65.5% from the field and 88.9% (24-for-27) at the rim. The Bulls won’t win this game if they let the Heat shoot the lights out from downtown.

Noteworthy

The Bulls won the last meeting, 116-108, on October 19th. DeRozan led the Bulls with 37 points.

Miami beat Chicago four of the last five times.

The Bulls are 2-8 in the last 10 matchups against the Heat.

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

Heat’s projected lineup: Adebayo, Jovic, Butler, Herro, Strus

Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out for the Bulls with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) is listed as probable

Jimmy Butler (right knee injury management) is probable, and Caleb Martin (left ankle sprain), Kyle Lowry (left knee soreness), Dewayne Dedmon (left foot plantar fasciitis), and Udonis Haslem (right Achilles tendinosis) are listed as questionable