Chicago Battles Oklahoma City Amid 3-Game Road Losing Streak

The Chicago Bulls visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday at 8 p.m. EDT. Chicago enters with a 29-43 record and sits 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Thunder are 57-16 and lead the Western Conference.

Chicago Battles Oklahoma City Amid 3-Game Road Losing Streak as the Bulls seek a win away from home. Chicago is 11-23 on the road. Oklahoma City is strong at home with a 29-7 mark.

Team form and matchup

The teams meet for the second time this season. Oklahoma City won the first meeting 116-108 on March 4. Jared McCain scored 20 points in that earlier contest.

The Thunder have been excellent recently, going 9-1 in their last 10 games. The Bulls are 4-6 over their past 10 games.

Statistical edges

Offense and shooting

Chicago averages 116.3 points per game and ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls shoot 46.9% from the field this season.

The Thunder shoot 48.2% from the field. That rate is 0.6 percentage points higher than the 47.6% opponents have shot against Chicago.

Rebounding and defense

Oklahoma City ranks second in the Western Conference in defensive rebounds. They average 34.5 defensive boards per game. Chet Holmgren leads that group, averaging 7.0 defensive rebounds.

The Bulls’ shooting percentage of 46.9% stands 3.4 percentage points above the 43.5% opponents have shot against the Thunder.

Recent team averages

The Thunder over their last 10 games average 115.4 points, 43.6 rebounds, and 24.8 assists. They add 8.4 steals and 4.7 blocks per game, while shooting 48.0%.

Their opponents have averaged 106.1 points in that span. The Bulls have averaged 120.3 points, 47.1 rebounds, and 28.2 assists over their last 10 games.

Chicago has produced 7.2 steals and 4.7 blocks per game recently. Opponents have averaged 125.6 points against the Bulls in that span.

Key players

• Cason Wallace: 8.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Thunder.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: averaging 29.8 points and 4.4 rebounds over his last 10 games.
• Josh Giddey: 17.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists for the Bulls.
• Matas Buzelis: 20.3 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 44.9% over his last 10 games.

Injury report

• Thunder: Thomas Sorber out for season (knee).
• Bulls: Anfernee Simons day to day (wrist).
• Bulls: Jalen Smith day to day (calf).
• Bulls: Noa Essengue out for season (shoulder).
• Bulls: Jaden Ivey day to day (knee).
• Bulls: Nick Richards day to day (elbow).
• Bulls: Zach Collins out for season (toe).

Story compiled by Filmogaz.com using Data Skrive and Sportradar.