[9:30 PM] Bulls @ Lakers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Chicago Bulls (8-5)

@ Los Angeles Lakers (7-6)

 

• The line for this Lakers by 2 points.

• The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the best stories in the early season and look to add another chapter when they host the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night. The Lakers have won six of their last nine games after putting a scare into San Antonio before losing Friday but likely will be without their leading scorer D’Angelo Russell, who was rested in the last game because of knee soreness.

• Point guard Rajon Rondo was back in the lineup after missing two games with a sprained ankle and finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in the loss to the Clippers. The Bulls received just 15 points from their bench Saturday and forward Nikola Mirotic is averaging just 5.7 points the last three games.

• Even without Russell, Los Angeles boasts four players scoring at least 14 points a game led by reserve Louis Williams (16.2) and Clarkson (15.4). Guard Nick Young and power forward Julius Randle also contribute 14.1 points per contest for the Lakers, who entered Saturday second in the NBA in scoring (109.8) and third in field goal percentage (47.1). Los Angeles has yet to get the expected production from veteran swingman Luol Deng, who is averaging just 6.7 points per contest and shooting 32.3 percent from the floor.

• Chicago G Jimmy Butler averaged 21 points in the last two games, but made just 12-of-37 from the field.

• Los Angeles rookie F Brandon Ingram must rebound from his worst shooting effort of his career when he was 1-for-9 against San Antonio.

• The Bulls have won five of the last six meetings, including both contests last season.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Los Angeles Lakers

Confidence: 4/10

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