Bulls at Cavaliers
The two teams that entered the weekend tied for the worst record in the NBA meet Sunday in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers host the Chicago Bulls. The squads sport identical 8-25 records, although the Bulls enter with some momentum after a 90-80 win over Orlando at home Friday night.
Lauri Markkanen scored a season-high 32 points in his 10th game since returning from an elbow injury and Chicago allowed its fewest points since April 12, 2017. "I think I can do multiple things, so take one thing away from me I can do other stuff," Markkanen told reporters. "I think we did a good job of recognizing their coverages, using that to our advantage." The Cavaliers finished a 1-2 road trip with a 126-110 loss at Toronto on Friday. After the Bulls leave town, Cleveland heads back out onto the road for three more, beginning with a matchup at Memphis on Wednesday.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE BULLS (8-25): Physical issues have taken a toll on Chicago this season and they operated Friday night without key forwards Jabari Parker (illness) and Bobby Portis (ankle), the latter of whom could miss up to four weeks after sustaining the injury Wednesday against Brooklyn. Backup guard Cameron Payne (calf) also missed the win over Orlando while leading scorer Zach LaVine (ankle) was sidelined for the fourth straight contest. Justin Holiday finished the game with his third double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds), but his shooting woes continued and the 29-year-old has made just 9-of-43 attempts over a four-game span.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (8-25): Cleveland had injury concerns of its own Friday night as starting guards David Nwaba (ankle) and Rodney Hood (foot) were limited to 14 and 18 minutes, respectively. "Both guys are obviously a big part of what we do, they're starters," coach Larry Drew told reporters. "We had to kind of switch some things up." Backup guard Jordan Clarkson posted his second straight 20-point game after sitting out Tuesday's win at Indiana due to a back issue.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Both teams are 5-12 at home and 3-13 on the road.
2. Bulls PG Ryan Arcidiacono has 10 assists and zero turnovers in 56 minutes over his last two games.
3. Cavaliers PF Larry Nance Jr. has three straight double-doubles after recording 16 points and 12 rebounds versus Toronto.