Los Angeles Clippers vs Chicago Bulls 3/31/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream
Contents
Los Angeles Clippers vs Chicago Bulls Matchup Preview (3/31/22)
The Los Angeles Clippers (37-39) take on the Chicago Bulls (44-32) Thursday night. The Clippers are 5-8 in March with the 24th Offensive Rating and 23rd Defensive Rating. Los Angeles is fresh off a 25-point comeback over Western Conference foe Utah Jazz. Paul George returned from injury and scored 34 points on 6/9 from three. Reggie Jackson scored 21 points and orchestrated 5 assists, but he shot 8/24 from the field and 2/11 from three. Luke Kennard drained 4 threes off the bench for 17 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Donovan Mitchell put together a good game – 33 points on 12/21 FG – yet the Jazz managed to squander a huge lead. The 2021/22 Clippers have now made three 25-point comebacks this season, so they are never out of a game. Brandon Boston Jr is a game time decision, and Norman Powell – who remains out – is close to a return. Marcus Morris Sr and Nicolas Batum are also questionable to play. If they cannot go, the Clippers would lose lineup versatility.
The Bulls own a 5-9 March record with the 27th Offensive Rating and 20th Defensive Rating. They are 5th in the East and are barely holding on to a top 6 seed. They must finish the season strong to avoid the play-in. The Bulls are coming off a 107-94 win over the Washington Wizards. DeMar DeRozan stuffed the box score with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists on 12/27 from the field. Nikola Vucevic handled the Wizards in the paint to the tune of 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 12/19 FG. Zach LaVine chipped in 14 points and 4 rebounds. The Wizards saw Rui Hachimura and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope clear 20 points, but they struggled to create consistent offense all night. Lonzo Ball remains out for the Bulls, and Zach LaVine is probable to play. LaVine’s presence is crucial because he provides efficient scoring and solid wing defense.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Chicago Bulls Betting Odds
The Bulls won their only previous matchup 100-90 on November 14th. DeMar DeRozan had 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while LaVine poured in 29 points on 6 threes. Paul George produced a double-double – 27 points and 11 rebounds. In this game, I would usually like the Clippers to win because of their defensive versatility and superior depth. With Paul George back, they have the star they need to counter DeRozan. However, the questions surrounding Morris and Batum’s health are scaring me. The Clippers depth would vanish without those two, and the Bulls would be able to break this Clippers switch-happy defense. I am going with the Bulls here because they are healthier and DeRozan has looked rejuvenated. I don’t expect this game to be high scoring since both offenses have struggled in March.
If you're in a state with legal sports betting, you can bet on this game! Lineups has exclusive new sign up bonuses from the top legal Sportsbooks online.
TV Schedule
Date: 3/31/22
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Arena: United Center – Chicago, IL
Channel: NBA League Pass
Live Stream Los Angeles Clippers vs Chicago Bulls Free Online: Watch Every NBA Game
You can stream this game online for free. You can get a free 7-day trial and live stream NBA games from any device. Click the banner below and start watching.
Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineup
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Paul George
SF: Nicolas Batum
PF: Marcus Morris Sr
C: Ivica Zubac
Los Angeles Clippers Analysis
Paul George is back, and that makes all the difference in the world for this deep Clippers team. They have plenty of guys who are solid role players, but they were missing that guy who could carry the offense every night while stepping up to make big time shots. George can create his own shot and score from anywhere on the court. His 25.0 PPG and 5.5 APG were sorely missed, yet he also elevates the defense because of his length and defensive IQ. George (2.1 SPG) can guard LaVine or DeRozan in crunch time and alter their shot.
Ivica Zubac is the X factor for the Clippers because of his matchup. George, Morris, and Batum are long wings who can defensively bother the Bulls wings all night. Nikola Vucevic is averaging 18.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG on a 52/37/73 shooting split in March. Vucevic has range, so Zubac will need to turn in a good defensive performance when he is dragged outside of the paint. Offensively, Zubac loves to cut and crash the offensive glass. Gaining a few more extra possessions would be huge for a Clippers team that is struggling to shoot efficiently.
Chicago Bulls Starting Lineup
PG: Ayo Dosunmu
SG: Alex Caruso
SF: Zach LaVine
PF: DeMar DeRozan
C: Nikola Vucevic
Chicago Bulls Analysis
The Clippers are 8th in Defensive Rating for the season, so the Bulls will have their work cut out for them. They need their dynamic duo of DeRozan and LaVine to lead the scoring charge and break through this Clippers defense. DeRozan has had a slow March compared to February, but he’s picked it up the past two games with an average of 34.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 5.5 APG. The switch-happy Clippers are extremely versatile and flexible, so it will be hard to hunt matchups. The best option would be Zubac on the perimeter or Batum, who is not as quick as he used to be.
The X factor for the Bulls is Coby White. He’s the main scorer and playmaker off the bench, and they need him to counter the Clippers bench. Kennard, Coffey, Mann, Covington and Hartenstein is a formidable reserve unit, so White’s scoring is desperately needed. He’s a volatile player, which doesn’t bode well for the Bulls. If he doesn’t perform well, a small Bulls lead can quickly evaporate and turn into a sizable Clippers lead because of the bench disparity.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Chicago Bulls Daily Fantasy Picks
I like George, DeRozan, and Vucevic here. Even though PG13 just returned, he showed no rust. His silky smooth shot was as lethal as ever; he drilled 6 of 9 three-pointers. I expect the Clippers to turn to George often because they will want to get him reps before the play-in games start. Look for George to break 30 points and hit a few threes along the way. DeRozan fills the box score constantly, and he’s the go-to scorer for the Bulls. Even if he doesn’t shoot well, his volume ensures that he produces. Finally, I like Vucevic more than LaVine in this matchup. Zubac can be exploited by centers with range, and the Bulls love to turn to Vucevic early. I think Vuc gets a double-double with 20+ points and 2+ threes.
