Los Angeles @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 12, 2019 ) L.A. Lakers 123, Chicago 107

The Los Angeles Lakers look to register their sixth consecutive victory when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. Los Angeles defeated the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs to start the three-game road trip with forward LeBron James recording triple-doubles in each game.

James had 21 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in Sunday's 103-96 win over the Spurs and has also flashed a renewed interest on the defensive end in the early stages of the season. "Well it's contagious, and his commitment on that end of the floor has been a great surprise for us in terms of just how proficient he's been," Lakers coach Frank Vogel told reporters of James. "He's leading the charge with care factor on that end of the floor. When he's working that hard and caring that much about getting stops, it carries over to everybody else, and you see it on the floor." Los Angeles attempts to have another top defensive effort against the Bulls, who have lost four of their past five games and failed to reach 100 points in three of the contests. Chicago dropped a 108-95 road decision to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday when it shot 9-of-30 from 3-point range and committed 18 turnovers.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE LAKERS (5-1): Backup center Dwight Howard is fitting in well so far and he made all seven of his field-goal attempts while contributing 14 points and 13 rebounds in 21 minutes against the Spurs. "Dwight Howard was huge," James told reporters afterward. "Every minute that he played. Great performance by him, crashing the glass, catching lobs, getting great strips defensively, giving us extra possessions. He was vintage tonight in the minutes that he played." The 33-year-old Howard was a late signee after DeMarcus Cousins suffered a season-ending knee injury and he said he has a new hunger for the game after being limited to just nine contests with the Washington Wizards last season due to back surgery and a hamstring injury.

ABOUT THE BULLS (2-5): The early season hole could widen with the Lakers in town and veteran forward Thaddeus Young said the team "took a couple steps backward" in the loss to the Pacers. Coach Jim Boylen agreed, saying "I thought we didn’t come with the appropriate edge or fear for a tough group of guys who played hard. And we got stung. Hopefully, it’s another learning moment." Shooting guard Zach LaVine scored 21 points for his fourth 20-point outing of the season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers went 2-0 against the Bulls last season and won the past five meetings.

2. Chicago SF Otto Porter (ankle) departed Sunday's contest and he is listed as day-to-day.

3. Los Angeles PF Anthony Davis had 25 points and 11 rebounds against the Spurs for his third double-double in four games.

PREDICTION: Lakers 107, Bulls 99