Game preview and injury report: Chicago Bulls host Lauri Markkanen and the Utah Jazz

Coming off a 126-112 road win against the Philadelphia 76ers last night, the Chicago Bulls look to win their third straight as they host the Utah Jazz led by former Bull Lauri Markkanen.

Utah Jazz (20-21) vs. Chicago Bulls (18-21)

Saturday, January 7 – 08:00 PM ET at United Center

Utah Jazz

Points Per Game: 117.5 (3rd)
Opponent Points Per Game: 116.5 (23rd)
Bench Points Per Game: 40.4 (5th)
Pace: 100 (12th)
Offensive Rating: 116.6 (3rd)
Defensive Rating: 115.6 (27th)
Net Rating: +1 (13th of 30)

Chicago Bulls

Points Per Game: 114.8 (14th)
Opponent Points Per Game: 115.4 (18th)
Bench Points Per Game: 31.5 (24th)
Pace: 99.7 (13th)
Offensive Rating: 113.6 (16th)
Defensive Rating: 114.2 (21st)
Net Rating: -0.6 (21st)

Contain Lauri Markkanen

Markkanen is coming off a career-high 49-point performance in a 131-114 road win against the Houston Rockets. The 25-year-old is having a career year, averaging 24.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 53 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from three-point range.

While Markkanen has improved in a number of areas, the Jazz deserve a lot of credit for giving him the freedom to fully showcase his talents. The sixth-year forward will come out looking to prove himself against his former team, and the Bulls better contain him if they want to keep their winning streak alive.

Don’t rely just on DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan has been the Bulls’ best player for the last two seasons. However, it’s refreshing when other players step up and help the team, taking pressure off him, particularly when he has an off game.

DeRozan had 12 points on 4-for-13 shooting against the 76ers and the Bulls didn’t need his late-game heroics. The Bulls scored 126 points in Philadelphia on 20-of-34 (57.1 percent) from beyond the arc and dished out 33 assists as a team. They also needed just two points from DeRozan in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Zach LaVine led Chicago with 41 points on 11-of-13 from long range, and Nikola Vucevic had a triple-double of 19 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists. Although the Sixers played without Joel Embiid, it was nice to see the Bulls pick up a win against a fringe contender without DeRozan carrying the load.

Injury report

Chicago Bulls: Lonzo Ball is out for with a left knee injury; Javonte Green (right knee soreness) and Tony Bradley (non-COVID illness) will also miss tonight's game; Alex Caruso (right ankle sprain) is listed as day-to-day.
Utah Jazz: no injured players

Noteworthy

The Bulls won the last meeting, 114-107 on November 28; DeRozan led the Bulls with 26 points.

Utah beat Chicago three of the last five times.

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

Jazz’s projected lineup: Olynyk, Markkanen, Vanderbilt, Conley, Clarkson

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