Keys to Chicago Bulls’ road game vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Chicago Bulls (26-29) visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a disappointing 116-105 road loss against the Nets on Thursday. Zach LaVine led the way with 38 points and Nikola Vucevic added 15 points and 17 rebounds in the setback.
Lonzo Ball is still out with a left knee injury as the Bulls look to avoid their third straight loss. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) is also out. DeMar DeRozan (right hip soreness), Patrick Williams (right ankle sprain), and Alex Caruso (left midfoot soreness) are listed as probable.
Chicago Bulls (26-29) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22)
Saturday, February 11 – 08:00 PM ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Chicago Bulls
- Points Per Game: 114.2 (17th of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 113.9 (16th of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 30.2 (24th of 30)
- Pace: 99.8 (13th of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 113.3 (23rd of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 113 (9th of 30)
- Net Rating: +0.3 (16th of 30)
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Points Per Game: 111.9 (26th of 30)
- Opponent Points Per Game: 106.2 (1st of 30)
- Bench Points Per Game: 28.9 (27th of 30)
- Pace: 95.6 (30th of 30)
- Offensive Rating: 115.6 (10th of 30)
- Defensive Rating: 109.7 (1st of 30)
- Net Rating: +5.9 (2nd of 30)
Contain Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley had a monster game against the Pelicans last night, putting up 28 points, 13 rebounds, four steals, two blocks and two assists on 13-of-18 shooting in 37 minutes, helping the Cavaliers win 118-107 on the road.
Mobley scored at least 20 points in a game for the first time since January 27, but he’s averaging 18.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 33.5 minutes over his last 10 games. The Bulls must contain Mobley to win this game, as he’s in the midst of his best stretch this season. The young big man can be the X-factor for the Cavaliers moving forward.
Play with pace
The Cavaliers are the slowest-paced team in the NBA, averaging a league-worst 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes. The Bulls average 99.8 possessions per game (13th in the league), and they must play with pace on Saturday.
Playing with pace is a must for the Bulls in this game; they’ve beaten low-possession teams like Portland, Philadelphia, Toronto, Miami and New York, and controlling the tempo can lead to their 27th win of the season.
Noteworthy
- The Cavaliers won the last meeting, 145-134 in overtime on January 2. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 44 points.
- Cleveland beat Chicago three of the last four times.
- The Bulls are 4-6 in the last 10 matchups against the Cavaliers.
- Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, LaVine, DeRozan, Dosunmu
- Cavaliers’ projected lineup: Allen, Mobley, Okoro, LeVert, Neto
- Bulls’ Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) will also miss this game. DeMar DeRozan (right hip soreness), Patrick Williams (right ankle sprain) is probable, and Alex Caruso (left midfoot soreness) are probable on Saturday.
- Cavaliers’ Injury Report: Ricky Rubio (left knee injury management) and Dylan Windler (right ankle sprain) are out.
