Game preview and injury report: Chicago Bulls looking to extend win streak vs. Sacramento Kings

Zach LaVine and the Bulls will try to win their third straight game when they host the Kings.

The Chicago Bulls (31-36) host the Sacramento Kings (40-27) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 119-111 road win against the Rockets on Saturday. Zach LaVine led the way with 36 points, eight rebounds and five assists, DeMar DeRozan had 27 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks, and Nikola Vucevic added 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the win.

Sacramento Kings (40-27) vs. Chicago Bulls (31-36)

Wednesday, March 15 – 08:00 PM ET at United Center

Sacramento Kings

• Points Per Game: 121.3 (1st of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 118.6 (28th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 37.5 (8th of 30)
• Pace: 100.7 (9th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 119.5 (1st of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 116.9 (26th of 30)
• Net Rating: +2.6 (8th of 30)

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 113.2 (20th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 112.4 (10th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 30 (24th of 30)
• Pace: 99 (17th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 113.4 (24th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 112.7 (6th of 30)
• Net Rating: +0.7 (11th of 30)

Contain Domantas Sabonis

Domantas Sabonis had a monster game on Monday with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists on 11-of-23 shooting in a 133-124 home loss against the Bucks. Sabonis played 39 minutes and made history, becoming the third player in franchise history with 10 or more triple-doubles in a season.

The 26-year-old center is having a career year with the Kings, and his 7.1 assists per game (the highest of his career) jump off the page. He also averages 19 points and 12.4 rebounds in 34.6 minutes over 65 games. The Bulls must contain the Lithuanian to win their 32nd game this season.

LaVine and DeRozan’s chemistry on offense

The Bulls’ road victory in Houston was much closer than it needed to be, but the top dogs found a way to a massive ‘W.’ LaVine’s play has been the key to the team’s success in the last two games, and he’s looking like an All-Star again, averaging 35 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 56.5 shooting, as well as 51.4 percent from beyond the arc over 37.8 minutes in his last five games.

LaVine and DeRozan usually approach scoring by taking turns; however, they must develop a two-man game to beat teams like the Kings and really have a shot at making the play-in tournament. Also, Chicago must be effective from beyond the arc again.

The Bulls were 15-of-32 from three-point range (46.9 percent) against the Rockets. The 15 three-pointers were the most they’ve made in nearly a month, and they outscored the Rockets 16-9 in fastbreak points, 23-10 in points off turnovers, and outrebounded them 53-43. They can beat the Kings if they replicate this effort.

Noteworthy

• The Kings won the last meeting, 110-101 on December 4. LaVine led the Bulls with 41 points.

• Sacramento beat Chicago three of the last five times.

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

Projected lineups

• Kings: Sabonis, Barnes, Murray, Huerter, Fox

• Bulls: Vucevic, Caruso, LaVine, DeRozan, Beverley

Injury report

• Kings: The Kings have no injured players.

• Bulls: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) will also miss this game.