The Chicago Bulls are on the cusp of moving above .500 for the first time since November 22, but first they must overcome the Charlotte Hornets tonight. The Bulls have recently found success, winning seven out of their last nine games, thanks to a resurgence of their unselfish offensive play and depth, even amid injuries to their two starting ball-handlers.
This matchup feels pivotal for the Bulls, who will aim to assert their dominance against a Hornets team that has given them trouble this season. Charlotte has come close in both previous encounters, even managing a win in late November, thanks to their strong three-point shooting with at least 15 made triples in both games. Additionally, they rank in the top ten for second-chance points per game, showcasing their pesky offensive rebounding efforts.
The Hornets boast significant threats in LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, known for their ability to make difficult shots, while Miles Bridges poses a real challenge with his physical style. A key player to watch is Kon Knueppel, who recently earned the Rookie of the Month award and scored 33 points in the teams’ most recent meeting. The Bulls must remain vigilant and deny him open looks.
The Bulls cannot afford to take the Hornets lightly after they edged out a win against the formidable Giannis Antetokounmpo recently.
Fans can watch the game at the United Center at 7:00 p.m. CT on the Chicago Sports Network. The projected starting lineups feature Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith, and Nikola Vucevic for the Bulls, while the Hornets will start LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, and PJ Hall.
In terms of injury reports, the Bulls will miss Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Zach Collins, but otherwise have most players ready to go. The Hornets, meanwhile, will be without the services of Ryan Kalbrenner, Moussa Diabte, and Mason Plumlee, presenting an opportunity for Vucevic to exploit a size advantage in the paint. Chicago notably scored a season-high 80 points in the paint during their last matchup against Charlotte, which could play a crucial role in tonight’s game.
With both teams facing challenges, the Bulls have the chance to build on their encouraging momentum.