Trail Blazers, Bulls Clash in Battle of Struggling Teams

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls faced off Sunday night at the Moda Center, both teams desperate to snap losing streaks in a matchup of struggling franchises. The Blazers entered the game winless in their last five contests, while the Bulls carried a four-game skid into Portland.

Portland (13-28) came into the game eight games out of the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference, while Chicago (18-24) held a two-game lead for the 10th seed in the East. The game marked the first meeting between the teams this season.

The Bulls arrived in Portland after a heartbreaking 125-123 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, despite a 40-point performance from center Nikola Vucevic. Chicago has struggled at home this season, losing 15 of 23 games at the United Center despite preseason goals of establishing a strong home-court advantage.

“We need to find a way to get back on track,” Bulls guard Zach LaVine said before the game. “Every game matters at this point in the season.” LaVine, averaging 23.6 points per game, was listed as probable with a knee injury.

Portland’s struggles have been more pronounced, with the team losing its previous four home games by an average margin of 20 points. The Blazers have been outscored by 9.3 points per game this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

One bright spot for Chicago has been the return of point guard Lonzo Ball, who played his first games in over two years after missing the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to injury. In limited minutes, Ball has averaged 6.5 points, 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Both teams dealt with injury concerns heading into the matchup. Portland listed center Deandre Ayton as day-to-day with a back injury, while Chicago’s Torrey Craig remained out with a leg injury. The Bulls also listed several players as questionable, including Ball and LaVine.

The game marked a rare national television appearance for both teams, with NBA TV carrying the broadcast outside of Oregon and Washington. For Portland fans, the matchup offered a chance to see rising star Anfernee Simons, who entered the game averaging 18 points and 4.9 assists per game.

As the second half of the season approaches, both franchises face questions about their long-term direction. The Bulls, after several years of middling results, appear headed for a rebuild, while the Trail Blazers continue their transition from the Damian Lillard era.