GAME NIGHT FROM THE UNITED CENTER
Charlotte (11-16, 5-8 on the road) at Bulls: (9-17, 5-9 at home)
TV: NBCSC: Neil Funk and Stacey King 7PM
RADIO: 670 The Score. Chuck Swirsky, Bill Wennington, and David Schuster.
Season Series: 1-1.
LEADING SCORERS: Bulls: LaVine: 22 ppg. Charlotte: Graham: 20 ppg
LEADING REBOUNDERS: Bulls: Carter: 9 per. Charlotte: Zeller 7 per.
LEADING ASSISTS: Bulls: Satoransky: 5 per. Charlotte: Graham 7 per.
PREVIEW: The Bulls attempt to build momentum tonight hosting the Hornets. This series has been a bit bizarre, to say the least. In the NBA opener, PJ Washington set an NBA record for most made three-point field goals by a player making his debut. (7) The Hornets rallied and edged the Bulls. One month later, Zach LaVine single-handedly beat the Hornets with 13 - three balls, scoring a career-high 49 points including the game-winning shot after the Bulls stole the in-bound pass.
Devonte' Graham is having a break out season averaging 20 points per game and as of late, he's playing as well as any player in the Eastern Conference this side of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Over the last five games, Graham is averaging nearly 29 points per contest. He reminds me of former Hornets star Kemba Walker and Isaiah Thomas now of the Wizards when Thomas was healthy and running the show in Boston. He is in the mix for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Last year in his rookie campaign, he played a total of 46 games and averaged nearly 15 minutes. His scoring has jumped from 4ppg to 20 ppg. His FG% from 34% to 41%. 3ptFG%: 28% to 42%. FT%: 76% to 80%. Assists: 2 per game to 7 per game. Rebounding: 1 per game to nearly 4 per game. Minutes: 14 per contest to 33 per game. Impressive.
In two games against the Bulls, Graham is averaging 20 ppg while shooting 59% from the field and 62% from three-point range.
Kris Dunn was tremendous against Trae Young of Atlanta shutting him down from the opening tip and never let up. Dunn is as fierce of a competitor you'll meet and loves challenges.
Charlotte's Marvin Williams has been ruled out. Nic Batum is doubtful. Chandler Hutchison and Cristiano Felicio are listed as doubtful on the NBA injury report with updates to come prior to tonight's tipoff. Hutchison is back on the practice court playing three on three.
24 SECONDS NBA NEWS AND NOTES:
Philadelphia 115, Boston 109: Joel Embiid was the main man for the 76ers with a 38-13 game. He scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. Philly has won four straight and eight of its last nine games. The Celtics suffered their first home loss in eleven games.
Dallas 122, Detroit 111: Luka Doncic. Luka Doncic. Luka Doncic. 41 points-12 rebounds- 11 assists. Enough said. The game was played in Mexico City.
Cleveland 117, San Antonio 109 OT: Kevin Love scored 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. The Cavs snapped an eight-game losing streak.
Denver 114, Portland 99: The Nuggets made 18 three-point field goals.
Our thoughts are with former NBA Commissioner David Stern who suffered a brain hemorrhage Thursday. There is no word on his condition.
Dion Waiters has been suspended for the third time this season by the Miami Heat for "failure to adhere to team policies, violation of team rules and continued insubordination." Waiters will serve a six-game suspension without pay.
The Nets waived veteran Iman Shumpert.
The NBA G-League will open its doors to Mexico City for the 2020-21 season.
Thanks for reading CCI. Reach out: cswirsky@bulls.com or Twitter @ctsbulls
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