Chicago takes on Indiana in conference showdown
Wed, Dec 27, 2023
NBA News (AP)
Indiana Pacers (15-14, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (14-18, 10th in the Eastern Conference)
Chicago; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers visit DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
The Bulls are 9-12 in conference play. Chicago has a 1-4 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Pacers are 12-10 in Eastern Conference play. Indiana is 1-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Bulls average 12.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 more made shots on average than the 10.6 per game the Pacers give up. The Pacers score 13.9 more points per game (126.3) than the Bulls allow their opponents to score (112.4).
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Bulls won 112-105 in the last matchup on Oct. 30.
TOP PERFORMERS: DeRozan is scoring 22.4 points per game with 3.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Bulls. Coby White is averaging 23.1 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 48.9% over the last 10 games for Chicago.
Haliburton is scoring 24.8 points per game and averaging 3.9 rebounds for the Pacers. Buddy Hield is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Indiana.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 6-4, averaging 115.5 points, 44.5 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 7.5 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points per game.
Pacers: 4-6, averaging 122.4 points, 40.9 rebounds, 31.1 assists, 7.7 steals and 6.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.0 points.
INJURIES: Bulls: Torrey Craig: out (foot), Henri Drell: day to day (thumb), Nikola Vucevic: day to day (adductor), Zach LaVine: out (foot), Onuralp Bitim: day to day (nose), Lonzo Ball: out for season (knee).
Pacers: Bruce Brown: day to day (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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