The Lakers take on the Bulls for the first time this season at the United Center. Here's your all-Lakers preview.
Lakers (26-17) vs. Bulls (23–22) | Game 44 of 82
WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME
Date: Saturday, Jan 24
Tip-off: 5 p.m. PST
Location: United Center—Chicago, Illinois
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
GAME PREVIEW
The Lakers are set for the fourth contest of their eight-game road trip against the Chicago Bulls for the first time since last season, when Josh Giddey hit a game-winner from half-court at the United Center.
The Bulls have been hot as of late, coming in on a four-game win streak and a huge win over the Celtics on Saturday. Chicago has won six of their last eight games and holds a 15-9 record at home.
Los Angeles is 2-1 on the road trip — wins in Denver and Dallas — and have won three of their last four games. The Lakers are coming off a comeback win over the Mavericks on Thursday after climbing back from being down 15 points in the fourth quarter.
Dallas switch hunted Luka Dončić and centered their attack on him to try and get easier buckets. But Dončić took on the task and held his own on the defensive end, forcing a huge charge to cap off and close out their 15th road win of the year after outscoring the Mavericks 37-23 in the fourth.
“We counted after the game; he had six straight stops where they targeted him,” coach JJ Redick said. “Just a fantastic job from him. Then [he] makes the game-sealing defensive play with the charge on [Naji] Marshall.”
Dončić finished with 33 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, while LeBron James had 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
The 3-point shooting has been an up-and-down battle for the Lakers this season. And three games into their road trip, the Lakers have been sixth (38%) in 3-point percentage in the NBA.
The Lakers hold a 27-17 (fifth in the West) record and a 15-9 road record. They are 10-11 against teams over .500 and 17-6 against teams under.
BULLS
Chicago’s offensive profile reflects a balanced, efficient group built around ball movement and interior presence. The Bulls are averaging 117.9 points per game, with Josh Giddey setting the tone as the primary creator (18.8 PPG, 8.9 APG), while Nikola Vučević anchors the paint with 16.8 points and 9.1 rebounds.
Chicago consistently generates quality looks, shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.9% from three, numbers that place them among the league’s more efficient scoring teams.
That efficiency is amplified by pace and spacing. The Bulls rank near the top of the NBA in assists per game (29.9) and are especially effective inside, averaging 54.1 points in the paint. Floor spacing comes from players like Ayo Dosunmu, who is shooting 45% from three, something that can present a significant challenge for the Lakers defensively.
NOTABLE OPPONENT RANKS AMONG THE NBA
The Bulls have the 14th-rated offense (114.6) and the 24th-rated defense (116.7) in the NBA. Here are their notable rankings this season:
Chicago currently sits:
7th in points per game (117.9)
8th in FG% (47.6%)
7th in 3P% (36.9%)
3rd in Assists (30)
No. 1 in Defensive Rebounding (35)
4th in Points in the Paint (54.1)
INJURY REPORT
Lakers:
Jake LaRavia (quad): Questionable
Austin Reaves (left calf strain): Out
Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain): Out
Bulls:
Tre Jones (hamstring): Out
Zach Collins (toe): Out
THREADS FOR THE GAME
The Lakers will wear their purple Statement Edition uniform on the road, while the Bulls will wear their white Association Edition uniform.
NEXT MATCHUP
The Lakers will continue their eight-game road trip in Cleveland on Wednesday against the Cavs.
Category: General Sports
