Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: Bounce-back opportunity in Salt Lake City

By Luke Askew

PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 9: The Chicago Bulls stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 9, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 9: The Chicago Bulls stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 9, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After an embarrassing 146-109 loss last night, the Chicago Bulls have now lost six straight games. Can they get back on track in Salt Lake City tonight?

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Chicago Bulls got dismantled by the Golden State Warriors last night.

The talent gap between the Bulls and the Warriors is quite large, but I thought the Bulls would put up more of a fight after getting embarrassed on their home court by the Warriors on October 29. After a 43-17 first quarter, it was clear that I was wrong.

It’s hard to knock the Bulls in this situation. I mean, we know they’re one of the worst teams in the NBA, and we know the Warriors are one of the all-time juggernauts. Maybe it was a pipe dream for me to think the Bulls could make this game somewhat competitive.

Now, as the Bulls head to Salt Lake City for game three of their five-game road trip, it’s time to put the Warriors game behind them.

The Utah Jazz have won four of their last five games and are now only one game out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. It’s safe to say that this game means more for the surging Jazz than the staggering Bulls.

For those that don’t know much about the Utah Jazz, they’re one of the NBA’s elite defensive teams. That doesn’t bode well for a Bulls team that’s historically bad on offense. It’s really hard to imagine the Bulls putting up enough points on Rudy Gobert and Co. to even come close to winning this game.

Matchup to watch: Zach LaVine vs. Donovan Mitchell

Zach LaVine and Donovan Mitchell are two of the NBA’s youngest offensive stars. Both players are under 24 years old, insanely athletic and love to put the ball in the hoop in flashy ways.

Even though there’s more hype surrounding Mitchell (and rightfully so considering he led the Jazz to the second round of the playoffs in the Western Conference as a rookie), LaVine has actually had a better season statistically.

LaVine is averaging 23.6 points per game on 46.1 percent shooting from the field and 36.1 percent shooting from 3-point range, compared to Mitchell’s 21.0 points per game on 42.0 percent shooting from the field and 32.6 percent shooting from 3-point land.

Next. Jim Boylen and Co. gave up on Jabari Parker too soon. dark

Even if the game is lopsided from the start, it’ll be fun to watch these two former dunk contest winners go head to head.

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