There are a bunch of good headliners among tomorrow’s set of games, but nothing is more exciting than the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers matchup.
It seems like a ‘90s rewind having the Bulls and the Lakers relevant again at the same time. Alex Caruso will also face his former team for the first time after moving to Chicago in the offseason. Don’t miss the game live at 11:30 AM on NBA TV Philippines via the new Smart GigaPlay app or Cignal TV.
Despite having similar standings, both teams had drastically different starts this season. The Bulls were red-hot as they shocked the entire NBA with their talent and chemistry that was quickly built during the short offseason. The Lakers weren’t so lucky as the big names and even bigger personalities clashed as soon as they had the opportunity to play on the court.
This is the perfect time to have this retro matchup with the franchise’s fresh faces. Chicago’s flame is slowly settling down and LA’s chemistry is improving one game at a time. Both teams are also fresh off their respective wins against solid competitors.
The Bulls handed the Clippers their first loss for the month of November. Chicago escaped a brewing fourth quarter run that the Clippers are extremely capable of completing. It was the scoring of Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan that stood out late in the game and ensured the win for the Bulls.
DeRozan finished with 35 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Lavine had 29 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Caruso and Lonzo Ball struggled to make their shots, but their defensive efforts paid off as both players finished with three steals each.
The Lakers came off a good win against the San Antonio Spurs, with prime Anthony Davis making an appearance. He earned another double-double of 34 points and 15 rebounds. He was joined by Russell Westbrook, who also got his own double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
But beyond their individual performances, the team’s overall success is more important. Six of the nine players that saw time on the floor scored in double figures. That includes newcomer Wayne Ellington, who was hot from the 3-point line, making 5-of-7 shots after only averaging 7.4 points prior to the game.
Both the Bulls and the Lakers are missing core players that could have made a huge difference. Nikola Vucevic continues to sit out following the league’s health and safety protocols. LeBron James is also listed as day-to-day, but is unlikely to join the Lakers in their match against the Bulls.
