Lakers vs. Bulls Game Day 2026-03-12

Chicago Bulls

27-38 • 11-20 road

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Los Angeles Lakers

40-25 • 21-12 home

· 7:30 PM PT · TV: Spectrum Sports Net / Spectrum Sports Net + / CHSN+

Spread: LAL -11.5 ·O/U: 239.5

Bulls

115.6 PPG

Lakers

115.9 PPG

Team Leaders

Bulls

Josh Giddey 17.7 PPG

Josh Giddey 8.4 RPG

Josh Giddey 8.7 APG

Lakers

Luka Doncic 32.5 PPG

Deandre Ayton 8.3 RPG

Luka Doncic 8.5 APG

Key Matchup

Luka Doncic (32.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG) vs Josh Giddey (17.7 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG)

Injury Report

Bulls

Day-To-Day: Patrick Williams

Day-To-Day: Jalen Smith

Day-To-Day: Guerschon Yabusele

Day-To-Day: Matas Buzelis

Day-To-Day: Josh Giddey

Lakers

Out: Maxi Kleber

Out: Marcus Smart

Out: Jaxson Hayes

Out: LeBron James

Season Series: LAL lead 1-0

The Lakers (21-12 at home) host the Bulls, who are 11-20 on the road. LAL is favored by 11.5 points.

What are your predictions? Who should get more playing time?

Again it all depends which Laker team shows up. Lakers can be tough when they decide to play as a team, and play tough defense like they are capable. But this season the Bulls have beaten the Lakers twice and the Lakers beat the Bulls once. But the Lakers have been playing pretty good lately and if they continue playing defense, not turning the ball over, stop making the long stupid passes into a crowded defensive group, it will be a turn over for sure. Need Luka and Reaves to include Ayton big time in the offense. He was great against the Wolve. Would like to see him play like that more often. Would like to see more shooting from Rui and LaRavia.

This is a young fast team, the sort that gives the Lakers problems especially on defense.

If the Lakers stay focused and incorporate defense, they will win a close game.

Did you all see the post game interview with Ayton on Tuesday after the game with the Timberwolves?

He would not look at the camera, and was looking down.

He seemed depressed or angry.

Anybody know why? He played a strong game...

I saw it too. I’m paraphrasing, but a reporter basically asked him something like, “How do you feel about the team and how connected you’ve been over the last couple of games?” And his response was just… bizarre. He said something along the lines of, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What exactly are you asking?” From what I could tell, his publicist jumped in almost immediately and pulled him away from the interview. He’s an odd duck, and it honestly makes me worry about what’s going on in the locker room between him and the rest of the team.

The last 15 seconds is what I was referring to.

Nice pick and roll there Kennard to Timme for the little J in the paint

Nice effort there by LaRavia blocking the the Jones 3!

Good job by Ayton- though he's really steamed about the no call there. Not a happy camper.

Lebron a bit rusty- another turnover and it's 40-35 Bulls.

Luka really heating up here- and 1 on the baseline J, the triple, and now the layup!

Rui puts the Lakers back up top with that wing triple!

Lakers up 67-62 at the half, helped in large parts by Luka's offense and the energy by Ayton.

DeAngry Ayton is playing like a Laker with a purpose.

Stay angry my friend...

It's very noticeable when Marcus is not able to play.

His impact is quiet but significant...

I saw it too. I’m paraphrasing, but a reporter basically asked him something like, “How do you feel about the team and how connected you’ve been over the last couple of games?” And his response was just… bizarre. He said something along the lines of, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What exactly are you asking?” From what I could tell, his publicist jumped in almost immediately and pulled him away from the interview. He’s an odd duck, and it honestly makes me worry about what’s going on in the locker room between him and the rest of the team.

I had a teammate in high school like this. He was college capable and always at his best when he was pissed off, so, we used to insult him to get him to engage.

The Lakers are playing good on offense, but their defense is terrible. Smart is not playing tonight and he is usually the spark plug on defense. Vando sux as usual and has only played a few minutes. Ayton is playing fairly good, Luka and Reaves are playing real good on offense. Lakers are up on the Bulls at the half by five points.

Labron again with his long passes turn it over as usual, same with Luka. Why the long passes when they can just move the ball and share the ball for the open shooter.

If the Lakers are going to win this game, they need to step up their defense. LaRavia has not scored and I do not think Kannard has either. So I want to see them get involved and not get to impressed just watching Luka shoot. They need to contribute in the offense as well as defense.

They probably told him it was about time he played with some effort, instead of just walking around like a zombie. Or they told him he would not be with the Lakers next season if he did not improve his game. Hasta La Vista amigo.

Lakers stampede the Bulls outta the half- good energy leading the way

Lakers rolling. What a rebound by Vando elevating over everyone- to the open Kennard for the corner triple!

Lakers won again and are proving themselves that they can beat this teams that are over 500. Only two players had a hard time on the Lakers team and that was Kennard missed a bunch of shots which was very unusual for him. The other who did not show much of an offense was LaRavia. But Luka was red hot scoring over fifty points.

I was impressed with the shooting by Giddy of the Bulls. He is a real good shooter from long range.

Highlights: