OKC Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls, 2019-20 team preview

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OKC Thunder Team Previews: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls works against Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans during a preseason game (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

While the OKC Thunder and Chicago Bulls almost came to blows last year each club enters this season with a spotlight on youth. Here’s how they matchup in 2019-20.

If the OKC Thunder were looking for a reason why they shouldn’t tank, last season’s Chicago Bulls squad serves up the perfect example. Despite finishing with the fourth-worst record in the association the Bulls didn’t land one of the coveted top-five draft picks. Rather, they slipped to seventh.

Regardless, the draft Gods smiled on the Bulls who were keen to add a point guard. Chicago got their wish with the underrated Coby White when teams picking ahead of them failed to snatch up the talented UNC product.

This season the All-Star Game will travel to Chicago so the team has some extra inspiration to perform well. And, in the watered-down Eastern Conference they might be an under the radar squad who’ll shock and contend for a bottom playoff seed.

The Basics:

2018-19 Record: 22-60

Lottery Seed: Won the seventh draft pick in the lottery

Head Coach: Jim Boylen begins his second season as the bench boss.

Points per game: Ranked 27th (104.9) | Opponent points per game: Ranked 20th (113.4)

Pace: Ranked 19th (99.0) | Offensive Rating: Ranked 29th (104.8) | Defensive Rating: Ranked 25th (110.7)

Vegas Odds:

Win-Loss: 33.5 games
Odds to NBA Title: +20000
Odds to Win Conference: +5000

* win/loss as per Westgate and Conference/Title odds as per Odds Shark

Last season the Thunder split the season series with the Bulls. Let’s review the changes the Bulls made this season with a view of what to expect when the team’s tipoff versus each other in the 2019-20 season.

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