The Clippers have gone 0-3 on their Midwest road trip so far, but close out their travels with a winnable game against the middling Bulls.
Game Information
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
When: 5:00 PM PT
How to Watch: KTLA, AM 570
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: James Harden – Amir Coffey – Kris Dunn – Kawhi Leonard – Ivica Zubac
Bulls: Josh Giddey – Kevin Huerter – Lonzo Ball – Matas Buzelis – Zach Collins
Injuries
Clippers: Norm Powell Out (Knee), Jordan Miller Out (G-League) Kai Jones Out (G-League), Cam Christie Out (G-League), Trentyn Flowers Out (G-League)
Bulls: Nikola Vucevic Doubtful (Calf), Ayo Dosunmu Questionable (Shoulder), Kevin Huerter Probable (Quad), Zach Collins Probable (Shin), Jalen Smith Out (Concussion), Patrick Williams Out (Knee)
The Big Picture
The bad news? The Clippers have dropped three games in a row. The good news? Kawhi Leonard is back for this one after missing the last two games with a sore foot, indicating that injury was a minor one. The Clippers’ offense has been brutal the last couple games, with the Pistons’ loss Monday night being particularly rough, as the Clippers just could not make shots. Kawhi hasn’t been great this year, but he has mostly shot the ball well, and will help with that element at least. This should also be a good welcome back game for Kawhi, as the Bulls really have nobody who can guard him. Hopefully he looks good after a few days off.
The Antagonist
The Bulls are just 23-35, but are still hanging onto the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference because of the ineptitude of the teams below them. In fact, before their recent win over the horrendous Sixers, the Bulls had lost six games in a row, and have won just five of their last 20 games. The Bulls traded away their best player, Zach LaVine, at the deadline, and other veterans like Nikola Vucevic are starting to sit on the other side of the All Star Break. In short, despite currently being in a postseason spot, and with a history of pursuing the playoffs at all costs, it doesn’t seem like the Bulls have much interest in winning down the stretch of this season. The Bulls still have real, veteran NBA talent on their roster, but the last couple months of the season will be about getting long looks at their young guys like Matas Buzelis, Julian Phillips, and Dalen Terry.
Notes
Must Win: This is the third game in four days for the Clippers and they’re on the road – yet it still might be the easiest game on their schedule for a couple weeks! After this game, the Clippers play the Lakers twice, the Suns, the Pistons, the Knicks, and then the Kings before taking on the Pelicans. Those are games against teams who are all trying to win, and all of whom outside of the Suns and maybe the Kings are feeling good about themselves. That makes this game against the slumping Bulls one the Clippers simply have to win to put themselves back on track and prepare for a brutal stretch where losing might be unfortunately common.
