Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls 2/26/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream
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Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls Matchup Preview (2/26/22)
The Chicago Bulls (39-21) host the Memphis Grizzlies (41-20) Saturday night in a potential Finals preview. The Grizzlies have won six of their last eight games with the best Offensive Rating and 11th Defensive Rating in that stretch. However, they are coming off a 119-114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jaren Jackson Jr was all over the place, as he accounted for 21 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. Morant produced 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, but on a terrible 28 FG%. Rookie Ziaire Williams scored 21 points on 7/11 from the field. The Grizzlies could not stop the Timberwolves though. D’Angelo Russell shined with 37 points and 9 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. The Grizzlies are healthy besides Dillon Brooks, who has missed 40 games this season. He is projected to return around early March, which would give the lineup a huge boost. Until then, Williams will continue to get the start in his place.
The Bulls are entering this contest on a 6-game winning streak and hold the 1st seed in the East. Over this 6-game span, the balanced Bulls are 6th in Offensive Rating and 10th in Defensive Rating. Against the Hawks, DeMar DeRozan extended his record-break streak of 35+ PTS on 50 FG% to eight consecutive games. The Bulls prevailed 112-108 off of DeRozan’s 37 points on 15/21 from the field. LaVine chipped in 20 points, and Vucevic recorded a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds). Bogdan Bogdanovic (27 points) and Danillo Gallinari (26 points) led the Hawks in scoring. Trae Young struggled mightily, going 3/17 (17.6%) from the field with 4 turnovers. Unfortunately for the Bulls, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso continue to be out. Those two, along with Patrick Williams, are set to be re-evaluated in mid-March. Until then, rookie Ayo Dosunmu will continue his role as the starting point guard.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls Betting Odds
The Grizzlies defeated the Bulls 119-106 in their only previous matchup on January 17th. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane both scored 25 points to lead the Grizzlies in scoring. DeRozan scored 24 points, and Dosunmu had a solid all-around game with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. In this matchup on Saturday, I like the Bulls to defeat the Grizzlies in a nail-biter. Both teams have MVP candidates – Morant and DeRozan – but the supporting cast is slightly better for the Bulls. Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are the 3rd and 4th best players in this game, giving the Bulls three of the top four. The Grizzlies have more depth, but the Bulls have the top tier talent edge. I expect this game to be average scoring wise; both teams are equipped on both ends of the floor. Both teams should fall in the 110-120 range points wise.
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TV Schedule
Date: 2/26/22
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Arena: United Center – Chicago, IL
Channel: NBA League Pass
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Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineup
PG: Ja Morant
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Ziaire Williams
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr
C: Steven Adams
Memphis Grizzlies Analysis
The Grizzlies will go as far as Ja Morant can take them. He’s averaging 26.7 PPG and 6.8 APG for the season. Normally, the Bulls have a sturdy point of attack defense. Lonzo Ball (1.8 SPG) and Alex Caruso (1.9 SPG) are vital to the Bulls perimeter defense. Because of their injuries, Morant will be guarded by Ayo Dosunmu, a solid but unspectacular defender. Morant’s job as the primary scorer and facilitator is far easier to perform without Ball or Caruso constantly hounding him. In order to help slow down Morant, the Bulls need to shade inside and play help defense. This strategy means Desmond Bane may get cleaner looks than usual from three. Bane’s efficient stroke (41.5 3PT%) can severely punish the Bulls for helping too much.
Outside of Morant and Bane, the Grizzlies will look to Jaren Jackson Jr on both ends of the floor. In eight February games, Jackson Jr is averaging 19.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.6 BPG, and 0.9 SPG. His shooting has been sporadic, but Jackson Jr (6’11”) can use his length and quickness to score on DeRozan (6′ 6”) or Javonte Green (6’5”). Defensively, Jackson Jr is a menace who patrols the paint like an agile cat waiting to spring and block the surprised defender. He’s coming off a performance against the Timberwolves where he had 2 steals and 3 blocks. Jackson Jr is a contender for Defensive Player of the Year, and the Bulls should identify where he is on the court at all times.
Chicago Bulls Starting Lineup
PG: Ayo Dosunmu
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Javonte Green
C: Nikola Vucevic
Chicago Bulls Analysis
Bulls fans must think they are back in the 1990s with what they are witnessing from DeMar DeRozan. In his last eight games, DeRozan is averaging 38.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.3 APG on 61.9 FG% and 46.2 3PT%. He loves the midrange shot – more than half of his shots are midrange. The Grizzlies may attempt to position Jackson Jr in this area to deter DeRozan and stick Ziaire Williams on Javonte Green.
Williams has been awful guarding the pick and roll ball handler. He doesn’t have the strength to fight over screens, so he’s been ducking under them frequently, leading to open off the dribble threes. The Bulls should force Williams to switch onto LaVine, and then send Vucevic to set the pick for LaVine at the top of the key. Part of the reason ducking under screens has been horrible for Williams is that Steven Adams cannot briefly switch and shut down the ball handler while Williams recovers. Adams is also making the correct decision by hanging back slightly; he cannot allow the big man to roll and score an easy layup. LaVine is an excellent shooter off the dribble, so exposing this Grizzlies defensive weakness can produce points efficiently.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls Daily Fantasy Picks
I like DeRozan, Morant, and Jackson Jr in this matchup. DeRozan’s last eight game stretch has legitimately been one of the best regular season streaks in NBA history. This Grizzlies defense the last few games has been good, but DeRozan is unstoppable at the moment. I expect him to continue his streak and score 35+ points on hyper-efficient shooting. Morant’s averaging 28.4 PPG and 6.9 APG in February on 48 FG%. His matchup against Dosunmu is solid, so I expect him to flirt with a double-double of 35 points and 10 assists. Even if Morant shoots the ball poorly, his incredible volume ensures his counting stats are excellent. Finally, Jackson Jr will be utilized in a number of ways, both offensively and defensively. Although I don’t think he will dominate in one stat, he will stuff the box score with his versatile play.
