Chicago Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs Game Outlook

After a loss Tuesday to the Detroit Pistons, the Chicago Bulls look to get back on track Thursday night against the team with the second best record in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs.

The Bulls played an up and down game in the Palace of Auburn Hills, which ended in a 102-91 loss to the Pistons. After being down double digits in the first half, Chicago led by four with 10 minutes left in the contest, before falling apart.

The loss dropped to the Bulls to 11-10, leaving near the bottom of the current playoff standings -less than three games separate 11th place from third in the East.

Chicago helped prove that playing four games in five nights makes it nearly impossible for most NBA teams to get a win. Losers of three straight, the Bulls will be hungry for a win tonight at home on national television.

Fred Hoiberg’s team should be well rested, and at almost full strength as Doug McDermott is set to make his return after missing the nearly a month with a concussion. The bad news for Chicago is that the Spurs will be rested as well.

San Antonio is coming off a win in Minnesota Tuesday against the Timberwolves, pushing their road record to a league best 13-0. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili did not play against Tom Thibodeau’s guys. But Parker is still a game time decision with a left knee contusion.

Pau Gasol returns to Chicago tonight for the first time since he signed a 2-year, $30 million contract with the Spurs last summer. The Spaniard is averaging 11.4 points per game and 6 rebounds.

A rare scheduling quirk will see the Bulls play the second game of TNT’s Thursday night double-header at home, with an 8:30p.m. tip off at the United Center.

The Spurs are 18-4, and are the better basketball team right now. But prime time games seem to bring out the best in the Chicago. Under Hoiberg, the Bulls seem to show up and show out against the NBA’s big boys.

Now, here are three things to look for in tonight’s game.

Dec 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) dribbles around defenders during the first half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

The Old Guard(s)

The Bulls’ starting backcourt of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo have almost a quarter-century of NBA experience. Ginobili does not start for the Spurs, but the ageless Argentine still contributes in this 15th NBA season. Parker, the man who always rocks a day’s stubble just as long as his buzzed hair, counties to help his club win at an extremely high clip.

Ginobili’s numbers won’t blow anyone away, and Parker has only played in 14 games and is averaging just under 10 points. But the duo always pose a threat.

Rondo plays his best when he knows more people are watching. He recorded a triple-double last week in the team’s win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. And after his recent blowup with a Bulls’ assistant coach, Rondo should come into tonight’s contest thoroughly motivated.

Wade has been playing well for the Bulls, averaging 19.8 points per game, which is good enough for second on the team. The 34-year-old is also playing the second most minutes for Chicago at a shade over 31. In his three December games, Wade is averaging almost 26 points, five assists and four rebounds in roughly 35 minutes a night.

Look for Wade to play well, as the surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer will be out to prove he can still hang against one of the best teams in the league.

Dec 6, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) dunks the ball on a pass from guard Dwyane Wade (not pictured) against the Detroit Pistons in the first half at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Unstoppable Jimmy Butler vs. Irresistable Kawhi Leonard

The 6-foot-7 wing does it all for the Bulls. In December he is playing 39.3 minutes per game, scoring 27.5 points, grabbing 7.5 rebounds and dishing out almost five assists. Oh, and he has is averaging over a block a game and 1.5 steals.

Butler makes this Bulls team go, and with the bench playing so poorly he will have to keep it up in order for Chicago to remain competitive. His counterpoint in San Antonio, Kawhi Leonard, is putting up similar eye-popping numbers.

Leonard, like Butler, was a relatively unheralded player coming out of college. He came into the league as a long, skilled and willing defender, with the potential to become much more.

The Spurs have continued their dominance in the post-Tim Duncan era this season because of Gregg Popovich, LaMarcus Aldridge, Parker and others. But Leonard’s ascension is the reason why they are poised to challenge the team in the Bay Area for the best record in the league.

Tonight’s matchup between Butler and Leonard will be amazing to watch. Both play hard-nosed defense, setting the tone for their teams. Both small forwards can create their own shots at will. The only real difference might be Leonard’s stoicism contrasted by Butler’s fun-loving bravado.

But, the true difference separating the two max contract wings is that Chicago’s favorite Texan is in desperate need of backup.

Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. (7) defends a shot by Chicago Bulls forward Cristiano Felicio (6) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago’s Bench. Awful.

Long gone are the days of the Bulls’ bench mob. Now, the entry of the second unit is a time reserved for fans to collectively hold their breath and hope for the best, knowing they will most likely see a train wreck instead.

The Bulls’ bench will hopefully get a boost tonight as McDermott is expected to return to the lineup. McDermott has only played in nine games for Chicago in 2016-17. But in the six games Chicago has won with him on the floor he has been a real spark on offense, playing nearly 25 minutes while scoring over 11 points on 50 percent shooting.

More from Pippen Ain't Easy

The Bulls’ bench ranks 27th or worst in three major offensive categories. As a unit they have the worst field goal percentage in the league and they are 29th in 3-point percentage. And the bench is 27th in points per game.

With such dreadful numbers it can’t really get much worse for the Bulls’ bench, right?

The Spurs’ bench is on the opposite end of the spectrum. San Antonio goes nine or 10 deep easily. They all play within the epic ball movement and unselfish system that has become a staple of the organization. With players such as Patty Mills, David Lee, Ginobili and Jonathon Simmons all coming off the bench, the Spurs are tough to beat.

The Bulls’ bench needs to step up and play better tonight in order to win. Look for Cristiano Felicio to keep playing more minutes tonight against a big Spurs’ lineup.

And now, a prediction for tonight’s outcome.

Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Isaiah Canaan (0) gets a pat on the head from forward Taj Gibson (22) after he was called for traveling in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Bulls won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Bulls…. WIN!

If the Bulls win tonight at home it will go a long way in helping regain the momentum they built earlier in the season. A win would also move them upward in the ever changing Eastern Conference standings.

Beating the Spurs is never easy, especially since they have been so locked in on the road this season. San Antonio moves the ball well, their bench can take over games and they have one of the best players in the league in Leonard (and I didn’t even have time to get into their second leading scorer, Aldridge, much at all).

The Butler vs. Leonard matchup should be extremely fun to watch. It will also be interesting to see how the United Center crowd treats Gasol in his return to Chicago.

But, look for the Bulls to pull off a massive win tonight.

Player of the Game: Dwyane Wade

Wade should have a big night tonight against the Spurs. Look for the savvy veteran to score around 25 points in a win.

Score: 105-102

Think our prediction is wrong? Let us know who you think wins, the score and your player of the game in the comments section!

This article originally appeared on