Bulls take on Bucks to tip off five-game road trip

The Chicago Bulls will battle the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks to tip off a five-game road trip.

Billy Donovan will have star guard Zach LaVine available, despite his left knee injury (soreness). The Bulls want to build some momentum, after snapping a three-game losing streak on Sunday.

#BullsNation star @ZachLaVine will play vs the @Bucks tonight LaVine was questionable with left knee soreness — Hedge_out (@hedge_out) March 22, 2022

Chicago has lost six of its last seven games on the road and has only defeated the Pistons in Detroit on March 9.

The Bulls will also face the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Their next home game is against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 31st.

The visitors aim to start building a winning streak that will help them fight for the home-court advantage in the playoffs.

The Bulls currently are fifth in the East, at 42-29. They are just 4.5 games below conference leaders Miami Heat (47-25).

At the same time, the Toronto Raptors (40-32), who hold the top play-in spot, are 2.5 games below the Bulls. Chicago has won only three of its last 10 games.

On the other hand, the Bucks return home after a four-game road trip, in which they went 2-2. They are coming off a heavy road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves (119-138), which dropped them to 44-27 in the standings.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee soreness) was out vs the Timberwolves, because of a knee injury (soreness). He is now ready to go, though, and will make his return.

However, the Bucks have ruled out Khris Middleton with left wrist soreness. The star forward sustained the injury in the game vs Minnesota.

Coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters, including Hedgeout.net, pregame that he doesn’t expect Middleton to miss significant time.

Brook Lopez, who recently returned after a back surgery, is expected to become the starting center for the Bucks. At the same time, Bobby Portis will come off the bench.

The Bucks will also aim to go 3-0 over the Bulls tonight. The reigning champions have defeated Chicago twice this season (January 21 and March 9).

#ChicagoBulls #MilwaukeeBucks