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Chicago Bulls vs. New Orleans Pelicans: What you need to know before tip-off

By Michael Whitlow

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 25: Bobby Portis #5, Robin Lopez #42, and Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls poses for a portrait during the 2017-18 NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 25: Bobby Portis #5, Robin Lopez #42, and Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls poses for a portrait during the 2017-18 NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Here’s everything you need to know prior to the Chicago Bulls opening up their preseason slate of games against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night in New Orleans.

The new era of Chicago Bulls basketball is (basically) here, folks.

Tuesday night marks the preseason opener for the Bulls against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first game of a back-to-back set to open up their preseason schedule.

That still makes zero sense. The NBA is trying to cut down on players resting from night-to-night and the Bulls open with a back-to-back set of games. In the preseason. Great job, guys.

There’s going to be some notable things to know prior to tip-off on Tuesday night against the Pelicans other than the fact that Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are really, really good.

Lauri Markkanen (back spasms) won’t play vs. New Orleans

The pick that the Bulls received in the Jimmy Butler trade turned out to be 7-foot Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen from Arizona. After a fantastic performance for his native land in EuroBasket 2017, Markkanen has been fighting some back spams in the early part of Bulls training camp.

Markkaken will sit on Tuesday night and on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks, but could play on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks, although that also seems unlikely.

“Lauri feels a lot better today,” Hoiberg said at shootaround on Tuesday, via Stephen Noh of The Athletic Chicago.

“He was out there on the floor getting some work in, but he’s still got stiffness with that back. We want to get him a couple practices before we get him on the floor, just to make sure this doesn’t turn into a long-term issue. As of right now, he’s not going to play today or tomorrow and I’d say he’s probably doubtful for the Milwaukee game [on Friday] as well.”

Hoiberg announces starting five prior to tip-off

The expectation was that the Bulls would likely start Kris Dunn, Justin Holiday, Paul Zipser, the newly-signed Nikola Mirotic and Robin Lopez for the opener on Tuesday and the actual opener on Oct. 19 against the Toronto Raptors.

Instead, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg will roll with Jerian Grant at point guard and Bobby Portis at power forward.

Next: Bulls-Pelicans: Game info, live stream, radio, how to watch

Hoiberg did also mention that Kris Dunn, one of the three pieces in that Butler trade, will get the start on Wednesday night against the Mavericks.

You can catch the Bulls face the Pelicans at 7 p.m. CT.

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