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Having both endured an inefficient night as Atlanta bested them on Tuesday, Jimmy Butler and Chicago’s own Max Strus combined for 61 points with clutch moments galore to help Miami overcome a six-point fourth quarter deficit against a reactive Bulls team, punching their postseason ticket. Top seed Milwaukee await them on Sunday night in Game 1, to finish a whirlwind week.
Continue reading “Heat 102-91 Bulls: Butler, Strus combine for 62 points as Miami lock up No. 8 seed”
The February 9 trade deadline is just a week away, and Rui Hachimura’s surprise trade move to the LA Lakers last month – January 23 – hasn’t exactly caught fire as far as opening the floodgates for moves across the league. That much should change though before long, so here’s a round-up of the latest news and chatter, including the Clippers’ search for a guard. Continue reading “NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more”
More than a third of the way through the NBA regular season, title contenders and tanking teams have largely been identified. As for the cluster of teams flickering in the middle, the race to February’s All-Star break will decide where their future lies. I spoke to NBA expert Jack Brown for another Q&A, featuring Chicago’s issues, best Victor Wembanyama landing spots and more.
Continue reading “NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch”
Two Eastern Conference playoff contenders are among the teams targeting a noticeable upgrade at center this coming offseason and so Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert returns to the rumour mill once again as uncertainty shrouds the franchise after Quin Snyder’s resignation. Continue reading “Atlanta, Chicago among reported suitors for Jazz’s Rudy Gobert as speculation returns”
Tyrese Haliburton has now recorded six games with 20+ points this season — five have come since December 17, with franchise guard De’Aaron Fox missing four outings during that stretch after entering the league’s health and safety protocols. Given the startling statistics with and without his backcourt partner, do Sacramento have a potential long-term issue on their hands? Continue reading “Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider”
Lonzo Ball’s second made three-pointer of the evening, at 6:22 in the fourth quarter, erased Detroit’s slender lead – one they jostled for throughout – as Chicago executed plays better down the stretch and earned a 94-88 road win in their season-opener. It reinforced the belief the Pistons desperately need top draft pick Cade Cunningham (ankle sprain) to return and quickly. Continue reading “After opening day defeat, Detroit need Cade Cunningham at his best – quickly”
With NBA practices starting next week ahead of the new season on October 3, there has been brief news updates aplenty across the league’s 30 teams. Players, coaching staff and front offices are making moves hoping to get incrementally better in a field of fine margins…
Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Shock Timberwolves sacking, Bulls contract extensions and more”
Lauri Markkanen was tipped to be a future All-Star after an impressive first two NBA seasons. If that’s still to be the case, the Finnish power forward will do it away from Illinois as multiple teams – Boston and Dallas among them – are keeping a close eye on his deteriorating situation. Continue reading “Multiple NBA teams targeting wantaway Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen”
A young playmaking point guard continuing to quietly improve his three-point shot, an under-appreciated spark plug from the bench in Los Angeles and a four-time All-Star shooting guard who is routinely disrespected despite his leaguewide pedigree. How much have these three acquisitions raised Chicago’s ceiling in an Eastern Conference with two clear frontrunners? Continue reading “Necessary or excessive? Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan join Chicago”
After falling two games shy of the postseason play-in tournament, reports claim Chicago want a starting point guards in the upcoming free agency period to bolster their offensive repertoire alongside All-Star duo Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Pelicans’ RFA Lonzo Ball and Lakers guard Dennis Schroder are linked, while Kyle Lowry and Spencer Dinwiddie are also named.
Continue reading “Lonzo Ball, Dennis Schroder among Chicago Bulls’ free agency guard targets”
Aaron Gordon’s trade request this week incentivised an ambitious Orlando side to embrace rebuild mode with key duo Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac both sidelined with ACL tears. Chicago are 1.5 games behind the eighth seed out East and now boast having two true All-Stars for the first time since 2014-15 – when they were eliminated by LeBron James in the postseason. Continue reading “Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic deadline day trade a necessary gamble”
The Portland Trail Blazers started hot and had a 20-point lead over the Chicago Bulls early on, but watched their lead disintegrate in an contrasting second-half display before Zach LaVine’s step-back three gave them a four-point deficit with 10.7 seconds remaining. Despite their best efforts, they failed to force the game into overtime and have fallen to 3-4 to start the season. Continue reading “Trail Blazers 108-111 Chicago Bulls: White, LaVine key as visitors rally down 20 to win”
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