Nikola

Vučević

Vučević had a rough stretch to close November and start December, but during this four-game winning streak, he has been fantastic. He has averaged 19.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.0 block and 1.5 triples while shooting 54.8 percent from the floor over Chicago’s last four games. It is unlikely that he stays this hot, but his recent success has been impressive and will help the Bulls claw their way back up the standings in the East.

Vučević came up big for the Bulls during the fourth quarter, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and scoring 11 of his 24 points. He finished with his 11th double-double of the season and first in just over two weeks, with the 15 rebounds being the most in a game for Vučević since October 27 (17 vs. Atlanta). A sixth-round player in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks, the Bulls’ center has pushed his season-long value closer to his Yahoo! ADP (52). The Bulls end Week 9 with a game against the Hawks on Sunday.

Collins most recently played 16 minutes in Wednesday’s win over the Cavaliers. The probable tag suggests he will play on Friday, but his playing time will be limited with Nikola Vučević in the starting lineup.

Well, give Vooch credit for his “finishing kick.” The veteran center shot 6-of-9 from the field in the fourth quarter, which enabled him to record his first 20-point game since December 1. Over the past two weeks, he has averaged 12.4 points per game, with the decreased scoring weighing down Vučević’s fantasy value. That said, his season-long value remains within the top-75 in eight-cat formats. Fantasy managers should not be too concerned, especially in the aftermath of his performance against the Cavaliers.

After playing 21 and 19 minutes in his first two appearances of the season, Collins logged 20 minutes on Friday. While the production was good, the true attention-grabber was the fact that he was part of the Bulls’ closing lineup, with starting center Nikola Vučević (13/3/4 with one block and one three-pointer in 22 minutes) watching from the bench despite not being in foul trouble. With Jalen Smith (5/10/1/1/1 with one three-pointer) playing 17 minutes and sharing the court with Collins at times, this is a position to monitor in the short term. Chicago sticking with this setup would make Collins worthy of a look in deep leagues.

Vučević has recorded a double-double in three of his last four games, playing through a lingering knee issue. Over the past two weeks, the Bulls center has provided top-40 per-game value in nine-cat formats, exceeding his season-long value by a few spots. The good news for Vučević and fantasy managers is that, while the Bulls have three more games in Week 7, they won’t have a back-to-back. That should help the veteran center navigate his sore knee.

Vučević was initially listed as probable, but he’ll be good to go on the second night of this back-to-back. He had a double-double on Friday and should have another strong night against Indiana.

Vučević missed Monday’s game against the Pelicans with a knee injury, his first missed game of the season. The 35-year-old center was available Friday and is likely to suit up again Saturday against the Pacers. Vučević remains a steady fantasy producer late into his career.

After a one-game absence with a knee injury, Vučević was back for this game. His return gave Chicago a stronger presence in the post, but it wasn’t enough for them to get a win. Vučević was still able to record a double-double, which was his eighth of the season. He’ll continue to fill the majority of the minutes in the post for Chicago, where he’ll remain a steady producer.

Huerter and Vučević are back after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Pelicans. Of the two, the latter’s return is more important, given his superior fantasy value and the way the Bulls were dominated on the boards in New Orleans. Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams will come off the bench, with the former still having value to fantasy managers.