Game 2: Memphis Grizzlies
Date: Oct. 25
Location: FedEx Forum (Memphis, TN)
Next up for the Chicago Bulls after a season opening win over the Eastern Conference for Hornets is a road test against the rebuilding Grizzlies. This is the first and only matchup against a team from the West for the Bulls during the month of October. The Grizzlies could also wind up finishing as the bottom seed in the standings out West.
Rookies for the Bulls like former Arkansas Razorbacks big man Daniel Gafford and the former Tar Heel White get to go up against second-year forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie point guard Ja Morant. This will be a very exciting matchup between two young and talented teams that could be contenders in their respective divisions in the near future.
In this matchup against the Grizzlies, the Bulls do get behind early from a hot start by Morant. He and veteran wing Jae Crowder combine for 25 points and six assists in the first quarter alone. But the Bulls start to close the gap in the second quarter and on into the second half.
The coming out party for second-year center Wendell Carter Jr. happens this season in game two. He posts 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks on his way to one of his best statistical nights of his young NBA career. Carter Jr. and small forward Otto Porter Jr. power the Bulls to a nice double-digit victory for the second night in three days.