Chicago (41 - 23)

Expert Pick
100% ····················>< 0%

Charlotte (38 - 26)

Red vs Blue


Chicago (36-18) head to Charlotte (34-20) in what will be their first matchup of the season. Both teams are still well in the hunt trying to finish with the top seed of the East. With both teams boasting a mix of dynamic stars and elite role players it should be an exciting high scoring game. Chicago Bulls Chicago after being a powerhouse the first few NSL seasons had a couple of down years after an unfortunate free agency weekend and then season long injuries to key players, have returned to the top of the pecking order in the East this season on the backs of their 2 stars with playmaking and tough shot makers in LaMelo and Siakam. LaMelo Ball has been on fire this season with career high scoring with averages of 33.2ppg, 5.2apg good for 7th leading scorer and 6th in assists. Pascal Siakam is having the best season of his NSL career, normally an afterthought to 2k this year he has truly been the closest version to his NBA self. Averaging 21ppg and 7.2rpg to go along with 3.2apg. Jalen Suggs also having a career best season averaging 18ppg and 1.2spg, while Suggs will miss this matchup his fingerprints have been all over Chicago's success this year and had to be mentioned. Charlotte Hornets Charlotte is led by a trio of 2k superstars in Ja Morant, DeMar DeRozan and Karl Anthony Towns like Chicago are also deep with elite role players in OG Anunoby and Al Horford. When healthy they're one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern conference. Ja Morant has been in and out of Charlottes lineup this season with little niggles every other week but when he has played, he's been a game changer. Ja this season is averaging career highs of 35.8ppg, 4.1apg and surprisingly 1.8spg. DeMar DeRozan, nothing new here for Deebo who has consistently been one of the top players in 2k with his ability to hit from the midrange at will no matter the contest. Averaging 25ppg at his young age still scoring above his NSL career average. Karl Anthony Towns will not be available for this matchup but another that has to be mentioned due to his impact on Charlottes play. Having a down year on scoring but being surrounded by scorers that makes sense. 17ppg, 15.6rpg and having the best defensive season of his career 2spg and 2bpg. Key matchups: Ja Morant vs LaMelo Ball This is the marquee matchup of the game. Two of the most unstoppable guards in the NSL in different aspects of the game, Ball and Morant will finally go head-to-head. Morant’s aggressive driving and playmaking against Melo's creativity and sharp shooting. I'm not expecting either of these 2 to put up much fight against the other defensively this will be a battle of offense which I expect LaMelo to outscore Ja due to Chicago's strong rim protection. OG Anunoby vs Pascal Siakam With no Kat for Charlotte, I'd be expecting Horford to move up to C and OG to move back to PF where he began this year's campaign. With OG's size and elite level defense I don't see where Siakam will be able to get his points off. Spicy P is finally himself in game which was a lucky stroke of luck for the Bulls off the back of the trade. I think OG wins the battle and keeps Siakam below his season average,

Chicago (36-18) head to Charlotte (34-20) in what will be their first matchup of the season. Both teams are still well in the hunt trying to finish with the top seed of the East. With both teams boasting a mix of dynamic stars and elite role players it should be an exciting high scoring game.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago after being a powerhouse the first few NSL seasons had a couple of down years after an unfortunate free agency weekend and then season long injuries to key players, have returned to the top of the pecking order in the East this season on the backs of their 2 stars with playmaking and tough shot makers in LaMelo and Siakam.

LaMelo Ball has been on fire this season with career high scoring with averages of 33.2ppg, 5.2apg good for 7th leading scorer and 6th in assists.

Pascal Siakam is having the best season of his NSL career, normally an afterthought to 2k this year he has truly been the closest version to his NBA self. Averaging 21ppg and 7.2rpg to go along with 3.2apg.

Jalen Suggs also having a career best season averaging 18ppg and 1.2spg, while Suggs will miss this matchup his fingerprints have been all over Chicago's success this year and had to be mentioned.

Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte is led by a trio of 2k superstars in Ja Morant, DeMar DeRozan and Karl Anthony Towns like Chicago are also deep with elite role players in OG Anunoby and Al Horford. When healthy they're one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern conference.

Ja Morant has been in and out of Charlottes lineup this season with little niggles every other week but when he has played, he's been a game changer. Ja this season is averaging career highs of 35.8ppg, 4.1apg and surprisingly 1.8spg.

DeMar DeRozan, nothing new here for Deebo who has consistently been one of the top players in 2k with his ability to hit from the midrange at will no matter the contest. Averaging 25ppg at his young age still scoring above his NSL career average.

Karl Anthony Towns will not be available for this matchup but another that has to be mentioned due to his impact on Charlottes play. Having a down year on scoring but being surrounded by scorers that makes sense. 17ppg, 15.6rpg and having the best defensive season of his career 2spg and 2bpg.

Key matchups:

Ja Morant vs LaMelo Ball

This is the marquee matchup of the game. Two of the most unstoppable guards in the NSL in different aspects of the game, Ball and Morant will finally go head-to-head. Morant’s aggressive driving and playmaking against Melo's creativity and sharp shooting. I'm not expecting either of these 2 to put up much fight against the other defensively this will be a battle of offense which I expect LaMelo to outscore Ja due to Chicago's strong rim protection.

OG Anunoby vs Pascal Siakam

With no Kat for Charlotte, I'd be expecting Horford to move up to C and OG to move back to PF where he began this year's campaign. With OG's size and elite level defense I don't see where Siakam will be able to get his points off. Spicy P is finally himself in game which was a lucky stroke of luck for the Bulls off the back of the trade. I think OG wins the battle and keeps Siakam below his season average,

Bulls Star

LaMelo Ball
A lot will come down to LaMelo's playmaking, he's one of the top assist guys in the NSL and will need to be swinging the rock to get others more involved while he likely gets the defensive matchup of OG Anunoby. If he can get his teammates going it should free him up more from the perimeter.

PPG 32.8

RPG 4.7

APG 5.6

SPG 1.0

BPG 0.4

FPG 2.5

TPG 2.9

PPG 35.8

RPG 4.4

APG 4.2

SPG 0.9

BPG 0.3

FPG 2.6

TPG 1.8

Hornets Star

Ja Morant
Ja being the leader of the Hornets will need a strong game which he usually brings. He's a flamethrower averaging 35ppg and will need to keep up that scoring for Charlotte to have a chance without their star big man on the perimeter to keep Claxton's attention away from the rim.

X-Factor
Chicago's depth, with Goga Bitadze, Ty Jerome and Colin Sexton they're more than capable of filling in the gaps if Siakam, Claxton and Ball fail to do so in the starting unit. Their ability to keep the team's offense humming without their stars they've been a key to Chicago's success this year and will be just as important against a team that lacks that bench depth in Charlotte. Charlotte's defensive prowess in the starting unit will be a key to winning this one. They not only need to play perfect on offense they need to lockdown Ball and Siakam if they're a chance to take this win as their bench will not be able to stay with Chicago's.

X-Factor

Chicago's depth, with Goga Bitadze, Ty Jerome and Colin Sexton they're more than capable of filling in the gaps if Siakam, Claxton and Ball fail to do so in the starting unit. Their ability to keep the team's offense humming without their stars they've been a key to Chicago's success this year and will be just as important against a team that lacks that bench depth in Charlotte.

Charlotte's defensive prowess in the starting unit will be a key to winning this one. They not only need to play perfect on offense they need to lockdown Ball and Siakam if they're a chance to take this win as their bench will not be able to stay with Chicago's.

Injury Report
Injured Players: Karl-Anthony Towns (Knee/Thumb) - 4 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Kyle Lowry (returning from Hip/Back) - 23 NBA Games missed this season	Injured Players: Jalen Suggs (Hamstring/Ankle/Back/Quad) - 26 NBA Games missed this season Nicolas Claxton (Injury Management/Back/Hamstring) - 8 NBA Games missed this season Larry Nance Jr. (Hand/Knee) - 20 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: LaMelo Ball (returning from Calf/Injury Management/Ankle/Wrist) - 22 NBA Games missed this season Collin Sexton (returning from Rest/Ankle) - 11 NBA Games missed this season

Injury Report

Injured Players:
Karl-Anthony Towns (Knee/Thumb) - 4 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
Kyle Lowry (returning from Hip/Back) - 23 NBA Games missed this season

Injured Players:
Jalen Suggs (Hamstring/Ankle/Back/Quad) - 26 NBA Games missed this season
Nicolas Claxton (Injury Management/Back/Hamstring) - 8 NBA Games missed this season
Larry Nance Jr. (Hand/Knee) - 20 NBA Games missed this season

Returning Players:
LaMelo Ball (returning from Calf/Injury Management/Ankle/Wrist) - 22 NBA Games missed this season
Collin Sexton (returning from Rest/Ankle) - 11 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
With both teams healthy I think Charlotte could give Chicago a real run but without the big man in Kat I can't see them winning. Chicago 112-104 Charlotte

		Comments (1)
CraigB 03/04 01:37 pm	Great write up. Good Luck Jon!!

	CLE	68
	NO	70

	NY	89
	TOR	85

	GS	103
	SA	104

	DAL	115
	LAC	97

	CHI	115
	SAC	107