Chuck Checks In:
It was a full day off for the Bulls as they prepare for Saturday's game at Detroit and Monday's road encounter at Orlando.
I loved what I saw out of Lauri Markkanen in Wednesday's win against the Wizards. Markkanen was confident with his shot and taking his man off the dribble. Markkanen has registered 11 straight double-figure scoring games. Despite struggling with his shot on Wednesday, Zach LaVine was "cash" at the foul line going a perfect 11-11. He's made 29 of his last 30 free throws. Tomas Satoransky will enter the Pistons game brimming with confidence following a 17-7-6 game against the Wizards. Satoransky got the Bulls in sync in the overtime period nailing two three-point field goals. One certainty for the Bulls is the presence of Wendell Carter Jr. on the glass. He is averaging nearly ten rebounds a game, shooting 55% from the field and leads the Bulls in double-double games with 13. He is going to get better and better.
The Bulls will hold practice here in Washington DC prior to leaving for Detroit. The Pistons play in Boston tonight as the Bulls will meet a Detroit team Saturday playing its third game in four nights with the Bulls entering play with two days rest.
24 SECONDS NBA NEWS AND NOTES:
Milwaukee 111, Los Angeles Lakers 104: Giannis Antetokounmpo drilled a career-high five three-point field goals. Giannis had a 34-11-7 game. Anthony Davis played on an injured ankle was sensational with 36-10-5. The Bucks now own the best record in the NBA at 25-4 as the Lakers slipped to 24-5. The Bucks have won 19 of their last 20. The Lakers have dropped two straight.
Houston 122, Los Angeles Clippers 117: The Rockets handed LAC just its second home loss in sixteen games. Vintage Russell Westbrook had a robust line of 40-10-5.
San Antonio 118, Brooklyn 105: Spencer Dinwiddie scored a career-high 41 points in a loss. David Nwaba suffered a season-ending torn right Achilles. He was playing well off the bench for the Nets.
Utah 111, Atlanta 106: Another game, another loss for the 6-23 Hawks.
Major injuries have hit the Raps. Pascal Siakam has a groin injury is out indefinitely. Marc Gasol has a strained left hamstring and he's out indefinitely. Norman Powell has a left shoulder injury and he's out indefinitely. All three players will be reevaluated over the upcoming weeks. Oh my!
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