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
Bulls rookie Lauri Markkanen will miss the first two games of the preseason with back spasms. Fred Hoiberg said it's not a long term concern
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) October 2, 2017
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.
Hoiberg said since Bulls want to get Markkanen "a couple practices" before he plays, the rookie now is doubtful for Friday vs. Bucks.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 3, 2017
“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 as well.”
Hoiberg announces starting five prior to tip-off
Hoiberg said Grant, Holiday, Zipser, Portis and Lopez will start vs. Pelicans.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 3, 2017
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.
Hoiberg said Dunn will start at PG vs. Mavericks on Wednesday.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 3, 2017
You can catch the Bulls face the Pelicans at 7 p.m. CT.