by Kevin Lawler
Nov 20, 2025, 12:00 AM GMT+5:30
The Blazers vs Chicago Bulls matchup tonight screams redemption for Portland after that 127-110 gut punch from Phoenix on Tuesday—health woes piling up while the Bulls heal, but home court at 7:00 PM Pacific could flip the script before a nasty road trip.
With the NBA’s calendar unforgiving, this clash spotlights young guns stepping up amid absences, blending pace and grit in a pivotal early-season tilt.
Chicago’s Hot Start Cools Off
The Bulls mirrored Portland’s early promise in the narrative—blasting to six wins in seven, their ball-movement frenzy (top in four-plus pass possessions, via Sportradar) energizing fans after dark days. Yet five losses straight tempered the hype until Monday’s Nuggets triumph.
In the Blazers vs Chicago Bulls recovery angle, they’re mending faster: Coby White’s back, dropping 27 points and eight assists in his Utah return despite the loss. His spark could ignite their third-ranked pace against Portland. The Ringer’s Michael Pina captures the Bulls’ flow in Blazers vs Chicago Bulls previews: “Zipping, sharing, attacking—like a greater sum.”
[Insert Inline Image Placeholder: Young Blazers crashing the boards]
Blazers vs Chicago Bulls: Portland’s Injury Storm Rages
For the underdog story, setbacks stack: Jrue Holiday’s calf nixes a second game, Jerami Grant skipped Tuesday ill, Scoot Henderson’s out indefinitely. Fresh word from interim coach Tiago Splitter—Shaedon Sharpe’s sidelined (right calf), Robert Williams III rests (left knee), but Grant’s probable after warmup.
Injuries test depth league-wide, but Portland feels it sharp in dynamics. Splitter post-loss: Rotation’s raw, yet he’ll position them to shine. Victory here eases into Golden State, OKC, Milwaukee. ESPN’s tiers pegs in Tier 5 “Muddled Middle”—eighth in West, but climbable with momentum.
Blazers vs Chicago Bulls Pace: Transition Traps Await
tempo ties them high—Portland second, third—promising a track meet favoring Josh Giddey’s near-triple-double surge (21.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 9.4 assists). His open-floor magic exploits holes in defenses.
Portland dominates drives, firing second-most shots inside five feet (NBA.com). Bulls’ rim sags, but they clamp rebounds (73.5% defensive rate). Hosts rip 35.8% offensive boards— glass war could crown kings, feasting Deni Avdija and Sharpe.
Blazers vs Chicago Bulls Rebounding: Boards Decide Fate
Uneven shots spell trouble; Chicago devours misses while Portland hunts seconds. In battles, aggression versus efficiency tips scales—will Blazers convert chaos into points?
Blazers vs Chicago Bulls Bench: Depth Duel Looms
Bulls’ pine leads at 48.1 points; Blazers lag 20th at 35.6. Grant’s fueled reserves, but shifts if he starts for Holiday—who fills? Caleb Love’s 17 Tuesday teased; Yang Hansen’s nine returned. Step-up stars sway rests.
[Insert Inline Image Placeholder: Blazers bench spark]
Defense: Halt the Hemorrhage?
Blazers D dazzled October (110.1 rating, fifth) but November’s 121.7 (third-worst) haunts hopes. Talent abounds—shorthanded, can they resist runners? Deep dive: Blazers defense woes.
Essentials
Portland Trail Blazers (6-8) vs. Chicago Bulls (7-6)
Wed. Nov 19th – 7:00pm Pacific
Watch Options:
- Antenna/Cable: Rip City Television Network (local here).
- Streaming: BlazerVision (OR/WA); NBA League Pass via NBA App.
- Radio: Rip City 620AM.
Injuries:
| Team | Player | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blazers | Scoot Henderson | Out | Undisclosed |
| Blazers | Damian Lillard | Out | Long-term |
| Blazers | Matisse Thybulle | Out | Undisclosed |
| Blazers | Blake Wesley | Out | Undisclosed |
| Blazers | Shaedon Sharpe | Out | Right calf soreness |
| Blazers | Robert Williams III | Out | Left knee management |
| Blazers | Jerami Grant | Questionable | Illness |
| Bulls | Zach Collins | Out | Injury |
| Bulls | Tre Jones | Questionable | Injury |
| Bulls | Jalen Smith | Probable | Injury |
grit could ignite—your prediction?
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