Keys to Chicago Bulls’ road game vs. Utah Jazz

DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls will try to avoid their second straight loss when they visit the Jazz.

The Chicago Bulls (8-11) visit the Utah Jazz (12-10) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 123-119 road loss against the Thunder in overtime on Friday despite 30 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds from DeMar DeRozan.

Lonzo Ball is still out with a knee injury as the Bulls look to avoid a second straight loss.

Chicago Bulls (8-11) vs. Utah Jazz (12-10)

Monday, November 28 – 09:00 PM ET at Vivint Arena

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 111.9 (16th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 112 (13th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 32.3 (20th of 30)
• Pace: 100.1 (11th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 111.1 (20th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 111.2 (12th of 30)
• Net Rating: -0.1 (17th of 30)

Utah Jazz

• Points Per Game: 117.1 (4th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 115.6 (23rd of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 43.5 (1st of 30)
• Pace: 101.5 (5th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 116.2 (5th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 114.6 (27th of 30)
• Net Rating: +1.5 (11th of 30)

Exploit Utah’s weaknesses

Rebounding has been an issue for the Jazz during their four-game losing streak, particularly in the last two games. The Warriors and Suns dominated the offensive glass the last two contests, which was a big reason the Jazz couldn’t get stops.

Mike Conley has missed the last four games with a left knee strain, and it’s no coincidence that the Jazz lost all these contests. With Conley on the team, the Jazz have a high-level offense with a lot of versatility.

Utah’s team assists reach impressive levels with Conley, who helps them find chinks in their opponent's armor. Losing Conley makes them less versatile and stops them from achieving the level of passing they were doing earlier in the season.

The Bulls’ second unit has to step up

Bench play made a big difference in the Bulls’ 123-119 road loss in overtime against the Thunder. The Chicago reserves usually help the team, but that wasn’t the case on Friday, as the OKC second unit outscored them 48-31.

The Bulls need their bench to carry them on Monday, especially Goran Dragic and Javonte Green. Dragic and Green are two of the biggest contributors in the Bulls’ second unit this season, but they combined for just three points, with Green attempting zero shots in 11 minutes.

The Jazz lead the league with 43.5 points per game from their reserves, but Conley’s injury forces Collin Sexton into the starting lineup, which removes a key weapon from their bench. The Bulls’ reserves must outplay the Jazz’s bench on Monday to win this game.

Noteworthy

• The Jazz won the last meeting, 125-110 on March 16. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 33 points.

• Utah beat Chicago six of the last seven times.

• The Bulls are 3-7 in the last 10 matchups against the Jazz.

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

• Jazz’s projected lineup: Olynyk, Markkanen, Vanderbilt, Clarkson, Sexton

• Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out for the Bulls with a knee injury

• Mike Conley (left knee strain) and Leandro Bolmaro (concussion protocol) are out for the Jazz