**What:** Charlotte Hornets (27-31) (15-15 away) at Chicago Bulls (24-34) (15-15 home)
**When:** 8:00pm Eastern
**Where:** United Center; Chicago, IL
**How to watch:** Local TV (check local listings), FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass
**Outfitting:** Hornets–Statement (purple), Bulls–Association (white)
**Game Lines:** Hornets -8.5, Hornets money line -340, O/U 229.5
**Injuries:**
Hornets: Coby White-probable (calf), Ryan Kalkbrenner-probable (ankle), Liam McNeeley-out (ankle)
Bulls: Jalen Smith-questionable (calf), Jaden Ivey-out (knee), Anfernee Simons-out (wrist), Zach Collins-out (toe), Noa Essengue-out (shoulder)
How fitting that Coby White makes his long awaited Hornets debut against the team that traded him away a few weeks ago. And he does so in front of his old home crowd. He certainly will have something to prove, and Hornets fans are surely very excited to see what he brings to the table.
While he’s making his debut, the Hornets will welcome back the services of Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, who return from their suspensions related to fighting against the Pistons. It’s felt like a whole lot longer than four games because of the All Star break coming right in the middle of it. The Hornets went 2-2 in their absences, which is probably acceptable given who the losses came against. Now the Hornets get back to full strength for the home stretch.
The Bulls have finally pulled the plug on mediocrity, which at this point is probably a welcome sight for Bulls fans who have watched their team hover around 40 wins for each of the prior five years and watched them heading for that same fate this season. They shipped off Nikola Vucevic, Coby White (thanks), and Ayo Dosunmu. The Bulls have not won a game since making those trades. They’re 0-7 since the trade deadline, and that poor run of form stretches back even further. They’ve won just one of their last 13 games.
Eight players are averaging double figures since the trade deadline with Anfernee Simons and second year man Matas Buzelis leading the way at just over 15 points per game each. Josh Giddey has quieted down tremendously since a scorching hot start to the season. Old pals Collin Sexton and Nick Richards are going to get plenty of burn and will probably play with something to prove.
The Bulls have been bottom four in both offense and defense since the trade deadline. They have no interest in winning games. The Hornets are going to have their strongest group possible on the floor, so there’s no reason they don’t handle business tonight.
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