The Clippers are searching for their first win since the All-Star break. You would think Chicago would be an automatic victory at this point in the season but let us introduce you to superstar Josh Giddey.
With 47, 42, and 47 PRA over his last three, expect this game to stay tight behind Giddey’s hot streak of play continuing.
With Norman Powell officially out of this contest, Kris Dunn should get another start for the Clippers as they look to end their three-game skid against the Bulls in Chicago.
With Coby White and Josh Giddey on the other side of the ball, I expect Dunn to get some free paint looks and be able to initiate some offense tonight. He’s played 31/27/35 minutes since the All-Star break and has dropped 17 PRA (with Kawhi in the lineup), 6 PRA (with Kawhi out of the lineup), and 22 PRA (with Kawhi out of the lineup).
With the attention going to Harden, expect Dunn to have a great outing in Chicago before the Clips head back to LA to take on the Lakers Friday night.
Keyonte George has played extremely well over the last three games since the All-Star break, and it would be a crime for Will Hardy and the Jazz to decrease his minutes during this great stretch of play.
With Brice Sensabaugh also emerging off the bench and Cody Williams gaining extra minutes towards the end of the season, the Jazz have officially hit the Capture the Flagg button.
While Collier should be an impactful piece to end the season, I’m expecting the ball to land in George’s hands more often in this game against Sacramento. Collier has really struggled from the field as of late and against a lanky Sacramento backcourt it might be difficult to get into the paint as easily as he likes.
Why stop the Giddey train here? The Bulls have found their future at the point guard position and over the last week, Josh Giddey has turned into one of the best players… in basketball.
Giddey and the Bulls took the New York Knicks to overtime in MSG where Giddey went for 27 points, 16 boards, and 4 dimes. Two days later, Chicago lost to Phoenix by just four points at home. Giddey: 24 points, 8 boards, 10 dimes. Two nights ago in Philadelphia, Chicago beat the Sixers by 32 points. Giddey: 25 points, 16 boards, and 6 dimes. Not to mention, he went 10 of 14 from beyond the arc during this span.
Why bet against JG here? The Clippers are out Norm Powell and Kawhi Leonard will be playing his first game in six days. LA is on a three-game skid and in the upset zone in the middle of a four-game road trip that heads back to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday. With all the momentum on the Bulls' side, take Giddey’s ‘over’ here.