When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Pepsi Center
TV/radio: ALT, 950 AM
Tickets:
Spotlight on Lauri Markkanen: The sharpshooting rookie out of Arizona has been a bright spot during the Bulls’ trying season, averaging 14.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. The 7-footer became the first player in NBA history to drill 12 3-pointers in the first four games of his career. But he’s currently in the midst of his first slump, going just 17-of-67 from the field over his last five games. Still, the tanking Bulls appear to have an exciting young centerpiece in “The Finnisher,” a nod to Markkanen’s home country.
Notebook
Bulls: Chicago has lost six in a row, including Tuesday’s 104-99 home defeat against the Phoenix Suns. … The Bulls entered Wednesday with the NBA’s worst overall net rating (minus-14.3), largely thanks to immense struggles on the offensive end. Chicago entered Wednesday with the league’s worst offensive rating (94.1) while also ranking last in scoring (94.6 points per game), field-goal percentage (40.4) and points in the paint (35.9 per game). … Chicago also entered Wednesday ranked 28th in defensive rating (108.4), rebounds allowed (46.8) and opponents’ 3-point field-goal percentage (38.6). … The Bulls have lost 10 consecutive games in Denver.
Nuggets: They are coming off their lowest scoring output and second-worst field-goal shooting performance in Tuesday’s 106-77 loss at Utah. … Standout center Nikola Jokic contributed six assists and six rebounds in that game but went just 3-of-7 from the floor for seven points. … Denver is 2-2 since all-star power forward Paul Millsap sustained a wrist injury that required reconstructive surgery. … Starting small forward Wilson Chandler has been ruled out of Thursday’s game with lingering lower back pain. Juancho Hernangomez started in place of Chandler against the Jazz. … The Nuggets are 8-2 at home, including five victories in a row dating back to Nov. 7.
