Chicago Bulls Starting Lineup
- Eastern Central
- Stadium
- United Center
Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan scored a team-high 22 points in Friday's Play-In loss to the Miami Heat. Despite the veteran's solid showing, the Bulls lost to a Miami team that didn't have Jimmy Butler (knee) or Terry Rozier (neck). With another season in the books, DeRozan will hit the open market this summer. But he's still productive as ever, ending the 2023-24 campaign with averages of 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. The 34-year-old also played more minutes this season than anyone in the National Basketball Association. However, DeRozan has made it known he wants to win, so he may have played his final game with the Bulls.
Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond (ankle) is available for Friday's matchup with the Heat. The veteran injured his ankle toward the end of the regular season and missed some games. Yet, he was back on the floor for the win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. While Drummond only logged 11 minutes, he made the most of his limited workload, finishing with four points, four rebounds, three blocks, and one steal. Nonetheless, while Nikola Vucevic should absorb most of the minutes in the middle on Friday evening, Drummond has value for DFS managers on a night that features just two games across the National Basketball Association.
Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (quadriceps) will play on Friday versus the Miami Heat. The 24-year-old missed the last four games of the regular season with a quad injury. But he was back in the lineup for Wednesday's Play-In win over the Atlanta Hawks. Dosunmu looked good in that one, ending the night with 19 points and two blocks in 41 minutes of work. It appears Billy Donovan may continue to give the starting lineup plenty of minutes against the Heat, which isn't a bad thing for DFS managers.
Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (ankle) will suit up for Friday's Play-In game versus the Heat. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Caruso suffered a "significant ankle injury" during Wednesday's win over the Atlanta Hawks and wasn't expected to play. Luckily, his symptoms mostly resolved, opening the door for his availability for the pivotal contest. As always, the 30-year-old should remain a vital piece of the Bulls' rotation. However, Caruso's presence will likely result in fewer minutes for Javonte Green, who surged toward the end of the regular season.
Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (ankle) is formally listed as questionable for the final Eastern play-in game against the Miami Heat after suffering an ankle injury in their previous game against Atlanta. Caruso said on Friday morning that he expects to play after the swelling went down drastically on Thursday. Caruso plays a big role, especially for the team's defense, and can be a key piece to a win over a Jimmy Butler-less Heat. Caruso has some value in DFS lineups as well due to his defensive abilities and can deliver a scoring punch against a team that's missing one of their best defenders.