NBA Matchup: Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls
Date: 17 January 2022
Time: 3:30pm ET
NBA‘s Martin Luther King Day festivities resume on Monday with a heavyweight bout between the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams will go head to head for the first time in the 2021-22 NBA season.
Memphis Grizzlies season so far
Memphis saw their 10-game win streak snapped as they were thumped at home by Dallas Friday night. The Grizzlies fell to 30-15 on the season and lead the Southwest Division standings by five games over the Mavericks.
In the last ten games, Grind City has averaged averaging 113.5 points, 51.7 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 9.3 steals, and 8.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.7 points per game.
Ja was last night’s @MichelobULTRA #GrizzPlayerOfTheGame pic.twitter.com/qSLpqaPU3V
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 15, 2022
Ja Morant leads the team as he averages 24.4 points plus 6.8 assists a night. Desmond Bane puts up 17.5 points a game while Jaren Jackson Jr. chips in 16.2 points and 5.7 boards a night. De’Anthony Melton (9.5 points) and Steven Adams (seven points, 9.3 rebounds) also are solid contributors on the offensive end of the floor this season.
Chicago Bulls season so far
The Chicago Bulls suffered their third straight loss and their fourth in five games as they let one slip through their fingers late at Boston Saturday night. The Bulls entered Sunday leading the Central Division by two games over the Bucks.
In the last ten games, Chicago is averaging 114.3 points, 42.0 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 7.8 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.2 points.
FOURTH QUARTER DEMAR.@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/hwzAfqSIeD
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 16, 2022
DeMar DeRozan leads the Windy City with 25.7 points per game this year. Zach Lavine also contributes 25.7 points a night while Nikola Vucevic (16.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists) and Lonzo Ball (13 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists) each average in double figures.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls Match Prediction
This will be a tough game for the Chicago Bulls as they have dropped three straight and four of their last five games coming into this contest. Missing LaVine is going to be a major blow, as it puts a lot of pressure on DeRozan and Vucevic on the offensive end of the floor.
Memphis saw their 10-game win streak snapped but they have played great basketball this season, pushing into the upper tier of the Western Conference as they have defeated Golden State, Phoenix and Utah. With countless missing pieces for the Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies are the favorites to win this game.
Injury Report
Memphis Grizzlies
Yves Pons – Covid-19 – Game Time Decision
Killian Tillie – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Jan 21
Dillon Brooks – Ankle – Expected to be out until at least Feb 12
Chicago Bulls
Tyler Cook – Ankle – Expected to be out until at least Jan 19
Lonzo Ball – Knee – Expected to be out until at least Jan 19
Javonte Green – Groin – Expected to be out until at least Jan 21
Zach LaVine – Knee – Expected to be out until at least Jan 21
Alex Caruso – Foot – Expected to be out until at least Jan 19
Derrick Jones Jr. – Knee – Expected to be out until at least Jan 28
Patrick Williams – Wrist – Expected to be out until at least Apr 10
How to watch Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls?
TNT will nationally broadcast the game between Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls. Fans can also catch the game on NBA League Pass.
