Game Preview: Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies

When: Thursday, February 7th, 7:00 PM CST

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

How to Watch/Stream: BallySports Southeast

Happy Trade Deadline Day everybody! It’s one of the most exctiting days of the NBA season… And that’s before even getting to the slate of games for the day.

The Grizzlies will host the Bulls Thursday, in what will be a game of mediocre proportions. Both teams are entrenching themselves in the heat of the Play-In competition. And that feels like it may be generous given the Grizzlies depleted roster.

Loser of six straight, the Grizzlies still—if you get to the mathematics of it—could somehow still make it. The Bulls? They seem to stand a bit of a better shot. Both given the lack of good teams in the East… And Chicago’s higher spot in the standings.

Still, Memphis has far from rolled over in any of these six losses. But tonight’s team may also wind up looking like a drastic different team then the one we woke up to. So your guess is as good as mine…

Who’s Still On the Team Tonight?

I could go on and on here about how the team’s matchup. I could go on about how the Bulls have both a ‘meh’ offense as well as a ‘meh’ defense. I could also blab about the Grizzlies’ still elite defense and middling offense sure.

But I know damn well what our attention is on today. It’s if the roster we woke up to is going to be the same roster we see suit up tonight. Plain and simple.

The Grizzlies roster already looks different than the one from yesterday. Xavier Tillman Sr. is no longer in Memphis as he’s heading to Bean Town. And I don’t expect that to be the last move that happens today either.

For either team that is. Will the Bulls continue with the middle-of-the-road season finishes they’ve mire themselves in? For the better part of a decade now their impatience has seemed to lead to Play-In appearance. After Play-In appearance.

At least the Grizzlies have their core and their identity. They only dont’ have their health. Which is important I guess. Point being Memphis is looking for guys on the fringes to help them compete for a chip next year.

Chicago? They should be selling, selling, selling—look to build on Coby White and call it a day. Will they though? We’ll have to wait and see on that front. Regardless, the thought on everyone’s minds heading into this game is simple.

What will the teams look like tonight? I’m popping my popcorn and can’t wait to watch and find out.

Photo Credit: (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo)