Chicago Bulls: Can winning streak get extended vs. LeBron, Lakers?

On the night of Jan. 23, the Chicago Bulls and first-year head coach Billy Donovan will get a shot to extend their winning streak to four games against a very challenging opponent. Donovan and the Bulls will face the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers and the superstar duo of forward LeBron James and big man Anthony Davis at home at the United Center this weekend.

In the last meeting between the Bulls and Lakers, the latter of the two teams emerged victorious on the road at the Staples Center back on the night of Jan. 8. But that win for the Lakers over the Bulls back on that night came by the narrow final score of 117-115. Star shooting guard Zach LaVine had a shot to put it away late for the Bulls, but couldn’t capitalize on their final relevant offensive possession of the game.

Coming into this game, the Bulls have a set trio of wins under their belt. There is definitely a considerable amount of momentum on the Bulls side ahead of tip-off against the Lakers at the United Center on this night. Their last game resulted in a win in the first end of this set of back-to-back games.

On the night of Jan. 22, the Bulls knocked off the Charlotte Hornets on the road at the Spectrum Center by the final score of 123-110.

What the Chicago Bulls need to do vs. Lakers

The Bulls will need a big night again from the trio that is LaVine, fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen, and second-year point guard Coby White. It will not be easy to face the likes of LeBron and AD for the second time in a matter of three weeks.

LeBron’s status is still a bit up in the air for this game, though. The Lakers could at least have one of their superstars on limited minutes since he’s dealing with a lingering lower-body injury. In fact, both AD and LeBron are dealing with lower-body injuries heading into this game.

Moreover, the Lakers will have to try and do their best to shut down LaVine again. The 6-foot-6 former UCLA Bruin is enjoying another career year with the Bulls. In 15 games played with the Bulls so far this season (all of which he’s started in), LaVine averaged 27.2 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks. And he’s shot an efficient 50.5 percent from the field, 39.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.1 percent from the free-throw line.

White also had a solid bounce back game for the Bulls in their win over the Hornets to start off the weekend. In total so far this season, White’s started in all 15 games he’s played in for the Bulls. He’s averaged 16.0 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.1 blocks, and 2.9 turnovers. White’s shot 40.3 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Markkanen will be the final piece to the puzzle that can help this Bulls team win. He’s on fire in the last three games since he returned from both an injury concern and quarantine due to a breach of the league’s health and safety protocols. He had a double-double in the Bulls win over the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 17, and was solid in their win over the Houston Rockets the following day.

That aforementioned trio of Bulls players did really well in the team’s win over the Hornets in the front end of this back-to-back set of games. The Lakers are still nearly a 10-point favorite on this night against the Bulls. And the ESPN matchup predictor gives the Lakers a sizable 67.0 percent chance to win this game.

The Bulls come into this game with an improving record of 7-8. They’ve won each of their last three games, two of which came against Western Conference foes in the Rockets and Mavs. And the Lakers come into this game with a record of 12-4.