Chicago @ Charlotte preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2019 ) Chicago 125, Charlotte 126

The Charlotte Hornets will try to avoid their second four-game losing streak of the month when they host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. The Hornets had a 13-point lead with under nine minutes remaining at Washington on Friday before fading late and falling 125-118 to finish a 1-3 road trip.

"Their physicality the last six minutes picked up," Charlotte coach James Borrego told Fox Sports Southeast. "We didn't respond well. We turned it over too much." The loss spoiled a career-high 31 points for Miles Bridges, who also chipped in eight rebounds and three steals for the Hornets. He will take aim at a Bulls squad that rallied from a 24-point halftime deficit before falling 116-108 to Miami at home Friday night. Chicago's starters scored a combined 46 points while missing all 11 of their 3-point tries.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE BULLS (5-11): Forward Lauri Markkanen seemed to break out of a season-long slump with a 24-point effort in a win at Detroit on Wednesday, but his shot failed him again in Friday's loss. The third-year pro was 3-for-12 from the field and is at 36.5 percent on the season. Leading scorer Zach LaVine chipped in 15 points despite missing all four of his 3-point attempts.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (6-10): Guards Terry Rozier, Devonte' Graham and Malik Monk scored 19 points apiece Friday night. Bridges was 12-for-21 from the floor and earned some high praise from his coach. "Fantastic night, both ends of the floor," Borrego said of Bridges. "Guarded Bradley (Beal), gave us effort, attacked the rim, made shots, one of his finer performances."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Monk shot 7-for-10 on Friday while making 3-of-5 3-pointers.

2. Bulls PG Kris Dunn had eight points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals off the bench Friday.

3. Hornets PF PJ Washington had a season-high 27 points in the first meeting, a 126-125 victory in Charlotte.

PREDICTION: Hornets 105, Bulls 99