Game preview, injury report: Chicago Bulls host Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies - Sports Illustrated

Ja Morant, Alex Caruso

© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls (37-40) host the Memphis Grizzlies (49-28) today, coming off a 121-91 road win against the Hornets on Friday.

Memphis Grizzlies (49-28) vs. Chicago Bulls (37-40)

Sunday, April 2 – 3:30 PM ET at United Center

Memphis Grizzlies

• Points Per Game: 116.8 (8th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 112.5 (10th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 35.5 (13th of 30)
• Pace: 101.1 (4th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 115 (16th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 110.7 (1st of 30)
• Net Rating: +4.3 (4th of 30)

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 113.4 (19th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 112.2 (8th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 30.8 (24th of 30)
• Pace: 98.6 (18th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 113.7 (23rd of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 112.5 (6th of 30)
• Net Rating: +1.2 (11th of 30)

Contain Bane, prevent Morant's breakout game

Desmond Bane finished with 22 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and three steals on 9-of-18 shooting and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc in 37 minutes during Friday’s 108-94 home win against the Clippers.

Bane is playing well as of late, averaging 25.8 points, five assists, and 3.5 rebounds over his last four games. Overall, he is averaging career-highs with 21.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 31.4 minutes over 54 games this season.

With Ja Morant still finding his rhythm, Bane is the Grizzlies' No.1 threat. That being said, Morant is in for a breakout performance ever since he returned from his eight-game suspension. The Bulls better make sure it doesn't happen tonight.

Force Memphis into making mistakes

The Bulls have struggled with shooting this season. However, their inability to score the ball in the half-court was not an issue in Charlotte on Friday.

Scoring in transition also helped the team’s half-court offense against the Hornets, as they forced plenty of turnovers that allowed them to get out in transition — the Bulls forced the Hornets into 21 turnovers, and they committed just seven.

The Bulls are averaging 13.7 turnovers on the season. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are averaging 13.6. 

Injury report

Lonzo Ball is still out with a left knee injury; Alex Caruso (left midfoot soreness) and Javonte Green (right knee soreness) are probable.

Steven Adams (sprained right PCL), Brandon Clarke (left Achilles tear), and Zaire Williams (right foot soreness) are out for the Grizzlies; John Konchar (left hip soreness) and Vince Williams (right shoulder soreness) are questionable.

Noteworthy

• The Grizzlies won the last meeting, 104-89, on February 7; Vucevic led the Bulls with 28 points.

• Memphis beat Chicago five of the last six times.

• The Bulls are 5-5 in the last ten matchups against the Grizzlies.

• Grizzlies’ projected lineup: Jackson, Tillman, Bane, Brooks, Morant

• Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Caruso, LaVine, DeRozan, Beverley

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2023-04-02 14:40:32Z
CBMicmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNpLmNvbS9uYmEvYnVsbHMvZ2FtZWRheS9nYW1lLXByZXZpZXctaW5qdXJ5LXJlcG9ydC1jaGljYWdvLWJ1bGxzLWhvc3QtamEtbW9yYW50LWFuZC1tZW1waGlzLWdyaXp6bGllc9IBd2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNpLmNvbS9uYmEvYnVsbHMvLmFtcC9nYW1lZGF5L2dhbWUtcHJldmlldy1pbmp1cnktcmVwb3J0LWNoaWNhZ28tYnVsbHMtaG9zdC1qYS1tb3JhbnQtYW5kLW1lbXBoaXMtZ3JpenpsaWVz

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