Here is what you need to know before the Lakers begin their road trip by meeting up with the Chicago Bulls.
1) This game marks the final time that Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol will share a court together. The duo won championships for Los Angeles in 2009 and 2010, and Bryant frequently refers to Gasol as one of his favorite teammates.
2) Bryant might be playing through a bit of pain considering the macho display he put on at the end of Friday’s contest. The 20-year veteran dislocated his right middle finger and quickly had trainer Gary Vitti pop it back into place, allowing Bryant to miss minimal playing time. He re-entered the game minutes later and immediately hit his first shot.
3) Bryant has shouldered the Lakers’ offensive load over the past seven games, averaging 24.9 points. Though he has shot 36.9 percent during this stretch, he also has five games of scoring 20-plus, including a 38-point outburst on Feb. 2 against Minnesota.
4) The Bulls have lived and died on the glass. They lead the NBA in rebounds (48.0) and are on pace for the most by any team in 21 years, but they also allow a league-high 46.9 boards to opponents. Chicago also surrenders the most offensive boards (12.3).
5) Defense has been the key to the Bulls’ victories this year. They limit opponents to a league-low 43.2 field goal percentage and are 20-3 when keeping them under 100 points.
6) The Bulls are without their best player, Jimmy Butler, who has missed five straight games with a left knee strain. The first-year All-Star leads the league in minutes played (37.9), while ranking fifth in made free throws (6.4) and 11th in scoring (22.4).
7) Chicago has struggled without Butler, losing five in a row before beating Toronto on Friday. During this stretch, they are allowing 110.0 points and 48.7 rebounds per game .
8) The Bulls’ other All-Star, Gasol, now becomes the team’s focal point with Butler sidelined. The 35-year-old has put together a strong champagne on both sides of the floor. He is also on pace to become the oldest player to average a points/rebounds double-double in the last 14 years.
9) Derrick Rose has improved his game the longer the season has worn on, increasing his scoring average from 13.4 in October/November to 21.6 in February. The 2011 MVP has also shot 23-of-39 since the All-Star Break.
10) Chicago’s new x-factor might be Doug McDermott, who exploded for a career-high 30 points to snap the five-game slide on Friday. The sophomore hadn’t scored more than 18 in a game before, but he poured in 20 in the second half alone.
