Chicago

Bulls

Here’s an oversimplification: Defense was optional in a back-and-forth shootout that ended as the season’s highest-scoring game. Buzelis was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, including four three-pointers, to finish the first half with a team-leading 14 points as both teams shot over 55 percent from the floor and scored a staggering 156 points combined. The 21-year-old playmaker knocked down a season-high seven three-pointers overall and eclipsed the 20-point mark for the second consecutive contest. He made just one of two free throws in the final seconds of regulation with Chicago leading by just a single point at the time, giving the Hawks a chance to tie or take the lead on the final possession. He remains a work in progress overall, but the significant scoring upside keeps him relevant in all fantasy formats until further notice. The Bulls are back in action on Tuesday with a rematch against the Hawks before squaring off against the 76ers and Bucks to close out a three-game week.

Giddey dished out 12 helpers and nearly got to double-digit rebounds, remaining a consistent triple-double threat. He even managed to get to the free throw line eight times in this one. The 23-year-old guard has been outstanding as an all-around fantasy contributor this season, averaging 20.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.4 blocks through 26 games, delivering top-40 overall value during that span.

The Bulls will also have Jalen Smith (quad) as the team brings in a fully healthy roster for just the second time this season. Dosunmu could see some additional run after logging only 14 minutes in his return from a three-game absence on Friday, and White should see his usual allotment of minutes. Smith is likely in line for 10-15 minutes off the bench backing up Nikola Vucevic with Zach Collins.

White was slapped with a questionable tag on Saturday, but he’s now on track to take the court against Atlanta on Sunday. White played well over his last two games and will look to finish Week 9 on a high note.

Smith played 15 minutes off the bench in Friday’s win over the Cavaliers, and he’ll be in line for a similar workload if he can play on Wednesday. If he can’t go, the available minutes will likely be absorbed by Nikola Vučević and Zach Collins.

White is dealing with left ankle soreness. The 25-year-old point guard’s status for Sunday’s game against the Hawks is up in the air given his questionable listing. If he can’t go, Josh Giddey would see a boost in fantasy value.

Dosunmu returned from a three-game absence due to injuries on both of his thumbs Friday against the Cavaliers. The 25-year-old point guard had just eight points in 14 minutes. He could be in line for more minutes against the Hawks Sunday.

Despite being under a limit of 24 minutes, Jones still managed to provide solid value off the bench. Over the last two weeks, he has been an eighth-round player in nine-cat formats. The presence of Josh Giddey and Coby White in the rotation makes Jones a challenging player to trust full-time in most fantasy leagues, but he’s an automatic streamer when one of those two is unavailable.

While Giddey missed out on recording a triple-double in consecutive games for the first time since early November, fantasy managers will take the final stat line he offered in Cleveland. For the season, he has provided second-round value in 12-team, eight-cat formats. With Coby White (13/6/9 with one three-pointer) being mentioned in trade rumors recently, there’s a chance that Giddey’s fantasy value receives a boost later this season. The Bulls visit the Hawks on Sunday to end Week 9.

After totaling 18 points in his prior two appearances, Buzelis had one of his best games of the season on Friday. The 24 points were three shy of his season-high, with the second-year forward recording his sixth 20-point game of the season. By comparison, Buzelis scored 20 points or more in five games as a rookie. He’s making strides, but the scorers in the Bulls’ rotation may limit Buzelis’ fantasy ceiling. He’s one of the reasons why fantasy managers may be rooting for Chicago to move a veteran (or more) before the February trade deadline.