Nikola Mirotic: Likely out of rotation Friday

Mirotic has been a major disappointment throughout the season, and despite more
playing time being available following the Feb. 23 trade of Taj Gibson to the
Thunder, the third-year big man hasn’t risen to the occasion. He was averaging a
meager 9.8 points (on 44.4% shooting from the field), 4.7 rebounds, 1.5
three-pointers and 1.5 assists in 24.5 minutes per game over the Bulls’ first
six contests following the Gibson trade, before Hoiberg elected to drop him from
the rotation during Wednesday’s loss to the Magic. It doesn’t sound like Hoiberg
is leaning toward using Mirotic on Friday, so expect to see more of Joffrey
Lauvergne as the main backup to starting power forward Bobby Portis. Lauvergne
finished with seven points, eight rebounds and four assists across 29 minutes
Wednesday.