Game preview and injury report: Chicago Bulls try to end losing streak vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Chicago Bulls (26-33) host the Brooklyn Nets (34-24) tonight. The Bulls experienced a disappointing 112-100 home loss against the Bucks on February 16. Nikola Vucevic led the way with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists while Zach LaVine had 18 points and four rebounds in the setback.
Brooklyn Nets (34-24) vs. Chicago Bulls (26-32)
Friday, February 24 – 08:00 PM ET at United Center
Brooklyn Nets
- Points Per Game: 114 (17th of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 112.3 (9th of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 34.8 (14th of 30)
- Pace: 98.3 (21st of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 115.8 (9th of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 114.1 (14th of 30)
- Net Rating: +1.8 (9th of 30)
Chicago Bulls
- Points Per Game: 113.1 (21st of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 113.4 (15th of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 29.8 (24th of 30)
- Pace: 99.7 (14th of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 112.5 (24th of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 112.8 (9th of 30)
- Net Rating: -0.3 (21st of 30)
Contain Mikal Bridges
Mikal Bridges scored a career-high 45 points with eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks on 17-of-24 shooting and 4-of-6 from three-point range in the Nets’ 116-105 home win against the Heat on February 15. This was just his third game for the Nets after joining them via the blockbuster trade centered around Kevin Durant.
The 45 points are a career-high for Bridges and his first 40-point game as a pro. Bridges’ previous career-high was 34 points with the Suns in a 125-117 road win against the Pacers on January 9, 2021. Bridges is a versatile wing who can play multiple positions on both ends of the floor and is an emerging star. The Bulls must contain him to end their six-game losing streak.
Turn a new leaf
Three-point shooting volume and efficiency were an issue for the Bulls in the 112-100 home loss against the Bucks on February 16. The Bulls took good care of the ball, recording just five turnovers, but they went 10-of-32 (31.3 percent) from beyond the arc, while the Bucks made eight more three-point shots on 15 more attempts.
The vibes around the Bulls before the All-Star break could not have been worse. The team lost six straight games, and some of them were either heart-breaking losses with blown leads or just blowouts.
The Bulls are banged up and have only 23 games to save their season. From now on, every game should be treated as a must-win playoff contest, and the team has to turn a new leaf by taking it one game at a time.
- Nets’ Injury Report: The Nets have no injured players
- Bulls’ Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) and Derrick Jones Jr. (left adductor strain) will also miss this game.
- Nets’ projected lineup: Claxton, Finney-Smith, Bridges, Johnson, Dinwiddie
- Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, LaVine, DeRozan, Dosunmu
Noteworthy
- The Nets won the last meeting, 116-105 on February 9. LaVine led the Bulls with 38 points.
- Chicago beat Brooklyn three of the last five times the teams faced off.
- The Bulls are 5-5 in the last 10 matchups against the Nets.