Chicago Bulls: Coby White can ignite a spark against Collin Sexton, Cavaliers

Favored for the first time in two games, Coby White and the Chicago Bulls need a win over the Cavaliers at home on Jan. 18.

On Jan. 17, the Chicago Bulls found themselves fumbling away another decisive first half lead to an opponent with a winning record. The Bulls wound up falling short against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night by the final score of 100-89. Chicago couldn’t hold on after taking a slim lead into the locker room at halftime.

Managing to close that game out on national television to beat a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference like the Sixers would be a great way to shed a more positive light on head coach Jim Boylen and his squad. But that didn’t come to fruition to tip off a crucial weekend for the Bulls.

The Bulls have yet to close out more than one game this season against a .500 opponent or better. That one win over a team with a winning record came last month, when the Bulls shocked the Los Angeles Clippers in a 109-106 triumph at home at the United Center. Boylen and the Bulls are nearing 20 losses, compared to just that one win, over winning teams this season.

However, the Bulls will get an easier opponent on Jan. 18 at the United Center. The Cleveland Cavaliers and standout second-year point guard Collin Sexton make their way to the Windy City to take on the young Bulls backcourt. This Central Division showdown will feature two teams that are still trying to get over the 15-win mark on the season.

The Cavaliers were playing well until they were blown out of the water by the Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers earlier this week. They extended their losing streak to three games on a 113-109 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 17.

Since the Bulls are both getting the Cavaliers on a back-to-back set of games and host them at the United Center, this should be one that is an easier win to nab. And since the Cavaliers hold just 12 wins on the season so far, the Bulls won’t have their usual trouble with beating a winning team.

One key player to watch in this game will be the talented rookie point guard Coby White. Seeing how White plays against Sexton and rookie guard Darius Garland on Saturday night will be very telling of where his game is trending down the stretch this season.

So far this season, Sexton is averaging 19.0 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and about 33 percent from beyond the arc. He’s playing well of late too. Sexton got hot down the stretch last season, and could do the same again this year.

Meanwhile, White is averaging 11.4 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, while shooting 37.9 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. White is shooting more efficient from the field of late, and his overall command of the offense is getting better.

This should be a fun matchup to watch between the Cavaliers and Bulls this weekend. Hopefully this will result in a confidence boosting win for the Bulls.