Preview: Bulls square off against Hornets on CSN

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Watch as the Bulls take on the Hornets on Monday night on CSN and streaming live on CSNChicago.com. Coverage begins at 5:30 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. Needing a victory. This one really goes without saying, but with the Bulls stuck in their worst rut of the season they really need to get back to their winning ways. They’ve fallen four games below .500, and their next five opponents after this one are .500 or better. This might be the last game until March 24 against the Sixers that the Bulls are favored in.

2. Hornets making one last push. As big of a disappointment as the Bulls have been, the Hornets have been an even bigger one after making the playoffs last season. But with the bottom of the East entirely up for grabs, and the Hornets having won four of seven, there’s an outside chance they can make the playoffs with a (very) hot finish to the year. It’s unlikely, but beating a team in the Bulls ahead of them would go a long way. They certainly still have something to play for, just like the Bulls.

3. Kemba Walker could provide problems. Kemba Walker was named to his first All-Star Game in February, and while he went through a lull in early February he’s all the way back. In 10 games since that All-Star break, he’s averaged 27.1 points on 47 percent shooting and 5.4 assists. Given the Bulls’ massive point-guard woes of late, Walker may be increasing those averages.

4. Marvin Williams heating up. Walker isn’t the only Hornet playing his best basketball of late. In his last six games, Williams is averaging 15.3 points on a scorching 56 percent shooting. He’s giving Charlotte another perimeter shooter to go along with Walker and Nicolas Batum, and his 10.2 rebounds in that span haven’t hurt either.

5. Jimmy Butler must step up. Jimmy Butler has been fine lately, but in Sunday’s loss to the Celtics he was held to five points on 2-for-11 shooting. Everyone struggled in that game, but it’s the leader’s job to step up in those instances. If the Bulls suffer more struggles early on Monday, the Bulls will turn to Butler. He’ll need to do a better job.

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