Streaking Bulls brace for busy, eventful week
Already riding a nine-game win streak, things are about to get serious for the Bulls.
A trip to Dallas on Sunday starts an eventful week as the Bulls will finally bask in some of the national TV attention that's been missing since the rebuild began.
The Bulls will host Brooklyn on Wednesday with an unusual 9 p.m. start time, followed by Golden State on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Both games will be televised by ESPN. Through Saturday's action, the Nets were the second-place team in the East and the Warriors No. 2 in the West.
Kyrie Irving, who recently rejoined the Nets for road games only, is on track to play at the United Center, where vaccines are required for fans, but not visiting players.
The Bulls will get another prime slot on Monday, playing the traditional MLK Day game in Memphis at 2:30 p.m. on TNT. Looking ahead a little further, the first of four games against defending champion Milwaukee is looming on Jan. 21.
A rescheduled game against Detroit on Tuesday turned this week into a four games in five days scenario for the Bulls. After hosting Golden State, they'll visit Boston on Saturday.
This type of NBA success is a new experience for many of the Bulls, especially Zach LaVine.
"I just try to take it game by game," LaVine said. "It's not like we're trying to look ahead to when we play Brooklyn or Milwaukee or Golden State. Those games will come on the schedule, we've got to play them either way, but we've got to take care of business. Just one game at a time and I think that's what's been keeping us climbing."
Dallas all-star Luka Doncic is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. He missed the Mavericks' victory over Houston on Friday with a sprained right ankle. Kristaps Porzingis won't play due to health and safety protocols.
There's no change in the Bulls injury report. Alex Caruso (protocols), Javonte Green (adductor strain) and Tyler Cook (ankle) are out. Jordan Bell's 10-day contract has expired.
Depth was an asset for the Bulls in Friday's victory over Washington. Specifically, backup guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu were a combined 7-for-8 from 3-point range.
Over the last four games, White is a ridiculous 16-for-24 from 3-point territory. The Bulls haven't lost since he returned from protocols on Dec. 19.
"I've found a nice little rhythm, but my teammates have been finding me, so shout out to them," White said after the game. "I've just been trying to make the right play - shoot, drive or extra pass - and get it done defensively."
Head coach Billy Donovan was willing to drop some praise on White for his role in the Bulls' surge.
"Coby is a winning player," Donovan said. "What I mean by that is you put him out there and he'll play whatever position. He's had to adjust quite a bit, but I think Coby's just a basketball player. Two guard, point guard, scoring guard, 'Label me anyway you want. I just want to go out and play.'"
When these teams playing in Washington a week ago, the Bulls weren't moving the ball. On Friday, they piled up 34 assists, led by DeMar DeRozan with 8.
"I think that camaraderie is reaching a very high level," Dosunmu said. "We have a group that wants to play for each other. ... We believe in each other and we know sacrifice has to be made in order to get to our goal, and our common goal is to play deep in the playoffs."
Dosunmu said Wizards guard Bradley Beal gave him some advice during Friday's game on how to avoid getting called for traveling on a drive to the basket, which happened twice. Dosunmu took the advice and scored on the next possession.
"Then he was like, 'I didn't say do it on me, I just said do it in the future," Dosunmu said.
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