National Basketball Association

Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers: Game Outlook

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:29 p.m. ET

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After a mediocre start to the preseason with the Chicago Bulls at 0-2, the “Three Alphas” will look to right the wrongs against the Indiana Pacers and leave the United Center with a win.

The preseason is well and truly underway for the Chicago Bulls.

Denzel Valentine’s health is already being questioned, Dwyane Wade’s hitting three-pointers and the “Three Alphas” aren’t really seeing many minutes together.

Expect the latter two to change tonight.

After a tightly contested game where the scores were neck-and-neck until the later stages of the fourth quarter, the Bulls will be hoping to bounce back from Thursday night’s loss and finally get a win to start the new NBA preseason.

In their way however, will be the Indiana Pacers once again, led by Paul George, who with additions of Jeff Teague, Al Jefferson and Thaddeus Young in free agency will hope to spoil the preseason party for the Bulls.

Brian Spurlock – USA TODAY Sports

Rebounding

The Bulls were absolutely murdered on the boards Thursday night, giving up 13 offensive rebounds.

The main catalyst behind this assault was Al Jefferson, who grabbed 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes of play.

Not only did the Bulls struggle to grab offensive rebounds (4 in the whole game), but had trouble pulling down rebounds down their own end of the court, giving up an unbelievable 13 offensive rebounds to the Pacers.

Unlike Thursday night, expect Bulls center Robin Lopez not to have less rebounds then Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Doug McDermott, Tony Snell and somehow Spencer Dinwiddie.

To be fair, I do believe we may be asking too much of Lopez, and it may be unfair to compare him to those players that outrebounded him, especially because they were mostly guards.

And after all, we all know aggressive-playing guards are much more known for getting rebounds then standard centers. Nevertheless, watch out for Robin Lopez to have a massive game and bounce back from his sub-par performance Thursday night.

Mike DiNovo -USA TODAY Sports

Butler vs. George

It’s always a special occasion when two of the best wing players in the NBA come head-to-head and tonight should be no different.

With only just over three weeks to go until opening night, expect Jimmy Butler’s minutes to increase compared to the mere 12 he played Thursday. While the leader of the Bulls wasn’t able to convert on a field goal in his short stint on the court, Butler was able to knock down all of his free throws. He’s 12-of-13 from the line for the preseason so far.

It was quite the opposite for George, who had 24 minutes on the floor and shot a dismal 3-of-11 from the field and 1-for-5 from deep.

Don’t be surprised if Indiana’s All-Star wing turns this slump around much to the despair of the United Center faithful.

Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) handles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Toney Douglas (16) during the first quarter of the game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Where, oh where is Mirotic?

It is quite well known that I am fairly critical of Nikola Mirotic, but even I didn’t predict the former Spanish League MVP to play this bad.

Shooting a combined 2-for-14 from the field and 0-of-8 from three thus far, it’s hard to imagine that Mirotic will be a starter, let alone an important rotation player for the Bulls in the future.

However, for all you Mirotic believers, don’t lose hope. I wouldn’t count out the recent Olympic bronze medalist from shooting 9-of-10 tonight in only a way Nikola Mirotic can.

While consistency has always been the problem with Mirotic, his ability to impact the game in other areas is what the Bulls need most from him.

Instead, the third-year international star seems determined to shoot his way out of it saying, “What’s most important is that the shots are good decisions. Obviously, I’m not making them. But I’m not worried.”

Rebounding, playmaking and versatility were all things expected from the highly-regarded international prospect, yet are still to be seen even in year three.

Unless Mirotic improves quickly, the only thing he’ll be shooting himself out of is a position on the Bulls rotation.

Oct 6, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The Chicago Bulls players look on during the national anthem prior to their game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Predictions

It’s hard not to see the Bulls finally come away with a win in a close, low-scoring game. Expect big performances from Doug McDermott, Robin Lopez and Spencer Dinwiddie, who should carry on his hot shooting form from Thursday night.

The “Three Alphas” should start to see more minutes together. However, it is still unknown whether the Bulls will continue the failed experiment of Nikola Mirotic as the starting power forward.

Let’s hope that the arena wont be the only thing different about tonight’s game against the Pacers.

Score: 98-92 Bulls.