Facing a Central Division foe in the Indiana Pacers that are going through a rough stretch themselves of late in terms of finding success in the win column, first-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls can try to right the ship on the night of Feb. 15. Donovan and the Bulls are trying to keep from their losing streak extending to two games this week as they hit the road for a three-game stretch away from the United Center.
The Bulls come into this meeting with the divisional foe Pacers with a record of 10-15. Their last game resulted in a tough 125-106 loss at the hands of superstar forward Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers at home at the United Center on the night of Feb. 12. That snapped a two game winning streak that the Bulls had built up in the week leading up to that outing against the Clippers.
Moreover, the Pacers come into this game with a record of 14-13, with two straight wins. But prior to winning their last two games, the Pacers had lost seven of their last eight in the wake of a plethora of inconsistent outings and injury issues really piling up. The Pacers are healthier now, with star big man Domantas Sabonis, center Myles Turner, and point guard Malcolm Brogdon playing better in the last few games.
Previewing the Chicago Bulls vs. Pacers
The Bulls and Pacers do come into this game with nearly identical records playing in this situation. The Pacers hold a pretty sub par record of 7-8 in games at home at Bankers Life Fieldhouse so far this season. Meanwhile, the Bulls hold a better than expected record of 6-6 on the road.
Just hours ahead of tip off in Indy on this day, the Pacers are 5.5-point favorites over the Bulls. And the ESPN matchup predictor gives the Pacers a 64.7 percent chance to win this game.
A few keys to this game for the Bulls will be keeping the likes of star shooting guard Zach LaVine and second-year point guard Coby White hot. Either Zach or Coby will likely get to matchup against the standout two-way point guard Brogdon on this night.
Moreover, LaVine also is continuing his trek to prove that he is well worthy of his first career NBA All-Star selection this year. He’s having another career year for the Bulls ahead of a critical stretch of road games this week.
LaVine has started in all 25 games he’s played for the Bulls so far this season, averaging around 36 minutes on the floor per game. And he’s averaged 28.1 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks. LaVine shot 51.9 percent from the field, 43.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 86.3 percent from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, Coby is playing better of late for the Bulls too. He’s also started in all 25 games he’s played for the Bulls so far this season. And he’s averaged 15.6 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.1 blocks. Coby shot 40.7 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.0 percent from the free-throw line.
On the Pacers side, Brogdon is having another solid year leading the way for their backcourt rotation. He’s also having a career year for a Pacers team that is trying to tread water in the playoff race in the East at this point in time.
He’s started in all 27 games he’s played in for the Pacers so far this season, averaging around 36 minutes on the floor per game. And he’s averaged 21.1 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks. Brogdon shot 43.9 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 90.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Tip off time between the Bulls and Pacers is set for 6 p.m. CT at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Bulls could use a win here before they continue their road trip on Feb. 17 against the Charlotte Hornets.