Keys to Chicago Bulls’ road game vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Zach LaVine and the Bulls will try to win their second straight game when they visit the Lakers.

© Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) visit the Los Angeles Lakers (37-37) today. The Bulls are coming off a 124-96 road win against the Trail Blazers on Friday. Zach LaVine led the way with 33 points, eight assists, and four rebounds, Nikola Vucevic had 23 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists, and Coby White added 19 points and nine assists in 32 minutes off the bench in the victory.

Lonzo Ball is still out with a left knee injury as the Bulls look to win their second straight game. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) will also miss this game.

Chicago Bulls (35-38) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (37-37)

Sunday, March 26 – 03:30 PM ET at crypto.com Arena

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 113.3 (20th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 112.3 (8th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 30.5 (24th of 30)
• Pace: 98.6 (17th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 113.4 (24th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 112.4 (5th of 30)
• Net Rating: +1 (12th of 30)

Los Angeles Lakers

• Points Per Game: 116.5 (10th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 116.6 (21st of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 31.7 (4th of 30)
• Pace: 101.4 (2nd of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 113.8 (22nd of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 113.9 (10th of 30)
• Net Rating: -0.1 (19th of 30)

Contain Lonnie Walker IV

Lonnie Walker IV had 20 points, four rebounds, and three steals on 7-of-12 shooting and 4-of-8 from three-point range in 24 minutes off the bench in Friday's 116-111 home win against the Thunder.

With D'Angelo Russell out, Walker had more playing time within the team's rotation and came prepared for the opportunity. Walker's 20 points were the most since he scored 21 in a 121-109 road loss against the Grizzlies on February 28. The Bulls must contain Walker to win their 36th game this season.

Scoring in transition

The Bulls' inability to score the ball in the half-court has been an issue this season. The Bulls just haven't had enough shooting out on the court to punish their opponents.

Scoring in transition would help their bad half-court offense. That said, they need to force turnovers to get out in transition. The Bulls forced the Trail Blazers into 12 turnovers, but they committed 16 turnovers themselves.

This four-turnover differential led to the Trail Blazers outscoring the Bulls 13-6 in fastbreak points. The Bulls comfortably won the game against the Trail Blazers, but the surging Lakers are a bigger challenge. Chicago has to force Los Angeles to make mistakes and outscore them in fastbreak points.

Noteworthy

• The Bulls won the last meeting, 115-110, on December 19, 2021. DeRozan led the Bulls with 38 points.

• Los Angeles beat Chicago four of the last six times.

• The Bulls are 2-8 in the last 10 matchups against the Lakers.

• Bulls' projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, LaVine, DeRozan, Beverley

• Lakers' projected lineup: Davis, Vanderbilt, Brown, Reaves, Schroder

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

• Lakers' Injury Report: Mo Bamba (left high-ankle sprain) is out. D'Angelo Russell (right hip soreness) is questionable, and LeBron James (right foot tendon injury) is doubtful.