Watch as the Bulls take on the Lakers tonight on CSN and streaming live on CSNChicago.com. Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with Bulls Pregame Live. Then stick around after the final buzzer to watch Bulls Postgame Live for highlights and analysis.
Click here to watch the game or download the NBC Sports App, your home for live streaming coverage of the Bulls.
Five Things to Watch
1. Back home again. After 17 days the Bulls return to the United Center. It comes after a highly successful 4-2 Circus Trip. The Bulls are an impressive 4-1 at home and 3-2 against the Western Conference. Get used to the Bulls in Chicago, too; they play nine of their next 12 at home.
2. Just keeping going, Jimmy. The MVP candidate has averaged a remarkable 29.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists in his last nine games. He's even closing in on 50/40/90 territory in that stretch (50/41/88). The Lakers really don't have anyone to match up with Butler - though it could be old friend Luol Deng - so expect Butler to keep things rolling.
3. These aren't last year's Lakers. The Bulls have been quite a big surprise in the NBA this year, but the biggest has been Luke Walton's Lakers. They're 9-9 - they pick up their ninth win last year on Jan. 12 - and have been competitive against good teams; they've beat Houston, Atlanta (twice), Golden State and Oklahoma City. Don't take these young guns lightly.
4. Keep hitting the glass. Despite squaring off against some excellent rebounding teams during the Circus Trip, the Bulls still head into Wednesday's contest against the Lakers as the league's second best rebounding team. The Lakers are ninth, with a +1.2 differential. The winner on the glass could be the winner of the game.
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5. Beware the bench. Where the Bulls have had one of the most efficient offenses in the league, the reserves have left something to be desired. Without Doug McDermott, Fred Hoiberg will need to have more contributions from Nikola Mirotic and Isaiah Canaan. It's more important Wednesday night, as the Lakers' bench unit has been one of the best in the league to date.
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