Coming out of the All-Star Break firing on all cylinders, the Chicago Bulls have found their vocal leader in Patrick Beverley and are following his lead up the Eastern Conference standings. Just when it seemed there was no hope left, this team continues to pull us fans back in and gives us a reason to hold out hope even in the face of adversity.
As long as the Bulls can remain healthy, there’s no reason to believe they can’t hang with the other teams currently in the play-in tournament. The Heat, Hawks, and Raptors all have massive flaws the Bulls can exploit.
Before they can begin planning for the play-in tournament, however, the Bulls first must focus on the more immediate threat in the Philadelphia 76ers. These two consecutive games against Joel Embiid’s 76ers will play a massive part in determining if this team can hang with the East’s best. Here’s who you can expect to take the court tonight for Chicago.
Is Alex Caruso playing vs. 76ers?
Alex Caruso is listed as questionable to play tonight due to a foot injury. This injury has been a bothersome thorn in the side for Caruso all season long, but he’s tried to play through the pain when possible. He was forced to exit Saturday’s game against Miami just 10 minutes into the contest due to aggravating the injury, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Caruso sit tonight’s game out to prioritize resting up and returning 100%. Until we have a further update on the severity of this issue, consider Caruso’s status to be a coin-flip and still up in the air.
Is Javonte Green playing vs. 76ers?
Javonte Green has only played 28 games this season due to a significant knee injury that has kept him sidelined since January. Billy Donovan shared a positive update last week regarding Javonte ramping up with non-contact drills, but I expect we’re still some time removed from Green seeing substantial minutes on the court again.
Full Bulls injury report vs. 76ers
In addition to Caruso and Green, the Bulls were also given the unfortunate news that Lonzo Ball would require a third procedure on his knee that will effectively eliminate him from playing not only this season, but in 2023-24 as well. Expect him to be a mainstay on Chicago’s injury report for the next year.
Bulls list Alex Caruso and Javonte Green questionable vs. 76ers. Caruso left Saturday’s victory over Heat with re-aggravation of mid-left foot sprain. On injury report, he’s listed only as left midfoot soreness.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 19, 2023
Full 76ers injury report vs. Bulls
The 76ers look to be at relatively full strength ahead of tonight’s matchup. P.J. Tucker is the lone name on Philly’s injury report, as he’s listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Keith Pompey reports Tucker did not go through morning shootarounds, so I expect Tucker to sit this one out tonight. Losing Tucker may not seem like a massive blow for the 76ers, but P.J. is still a starter that plays 25 minutes per game in their rotation, so this could help tip the scales in Chicago’s favor tonight.
Sixers forward PJ Tucker (ankle) did not participate in today’s shootaround and there’s a chance he won’t play tonight.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) March 20, 2023
Bulls’ upcoming schedule and opponents
After wrapping up two games against Philadelphia, the Bulls will embark on a four-game west coast road trip.
- March 22 vs. Philadelphia 76ers (48-22)
- March 24 @ Portland Trail Blazers (31-40)
- March 26 @ Los Angeles Lakers (35-37)