Kings gameday live: Can Sacramento end disturbing trend with win over depleted Bulls?
The Chicago Bulls will be missing some of their best players when they play host to the Kings on Wednesday night at United Center, but that might not bode well for Sacramento.
The Kings have not fared well against depleted teams this season, squandering several opportunities to pick up wins when the opposition was missing key players due to injuries and COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Sacramento suffered a 109-85 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday despite the absences of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris and Ben Simmons, who was acquired last week in the blockbuster trade that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Kings (22-37) will have another chance to beat a shorthanded team in Chicago, but it will take a much better effort than they produced Monday night in Brooklyn. The Bulls (37-21) will be formidable no matter who is in the lineup.
Lonzo Ball is out with a left meniscus tear. Alex Caruso is out with a right wrist fracture. Zach LaVine is being held out due to left knee injury management and Patrick Williams has been out since October with a ligament tear in his left wrist.
The Bulls, who are tied with the Miami Heat for the rest record in the Eastern Conference, still have DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. DeRozan, a five-time All-Star who was selected as a starter this season, is averaging 27.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Vucevic is averaging 18.1 points and 11.7 rebounds.
DeRozan has been on fire with a streak of seven consecutive 30-point games. He scored 40 in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday and dropped 45 against the 76ers on Feb. 6.
Kings injuries
The Kings are listing rookie guard Davion Mitchell and Jeremy Lamb as questionable against the Bulls. Mitchell was added to the injury report Wednesday due to right hand soreness. Lamb missed the past two games with left ankle soreness.
Note: Check back throughout the day for updates on tonight’s game between the Kings and Bulls.
Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls
When: 5 p.m.
Where: United Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
Odds: 233.5
Over/under: Bulls -5.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Jeremy Lamb (ankle); Davion Mitchell (hand). OUT — Terence Davis (wrist).
Bulls: QUESTIONABLE — Javonte Green (ankle). OUT — Lonzo Ball (knee); Alex Caruso (wrist); Tyler Cook (G League); Zach LaVine (knee); Marko Simonovic (G League); Patrick Williams (wrist).
This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 9:34 AM.
