Chicago @ Brooklyn preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 12, 2017 ) Brooklyn 73, Chicago 112

The Brooklyn Nets don't control their first-round draft pick this summer, and therefore can't be accused of tanking despite slipping down the standings in the Eastern Conference with an eight-game losing streak. The Chicago Bulls, who visit the Nets on Monday, are slipping down the standings as well as they attempt to set themselves up for the future.

Brooklyn is making a brief stop at home before a five-game road trip and came out of the All-Star break at Charlotte on Thursday, where it was rolled over in a 111-96 setback while point guard Spencer Dinwiddie struggled to contain All-Star Kemba Walker. "This is the challenge for Spencer," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "(Point guard) is the toughest position right now in the NBA to guard, and every night, you have a heck of a challenge. If you're not on your 'A' game, it's not easy." The Bulls are trying to bring along their own young point guard in second-year Providence product Kris Dunn, who is struggling with his shot (6-of-23) in two games since the break. Dunn, who sat out 11 games bridging January and February with a concussion, is still getting used to playing alongside guard Zach LaVine as Chicago experiments with different lineups.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE BULLS (20-39): Chicago declined to play veterans Justin Holiday and Robin Lopez in the first two games after the break and instead moved 25-year-old center Cristiano Felicio and 25-year-old guard David Nwaba into the starting lineup. "Obviously, we're playing a lot of new guys," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. "We're having trouble getting organized at both ends. We're not communicating on the defensive end and it's costing us. We're not doing a good job rotating over on the baseline when we get beat." The new lineup is not doing any favors for rookie Lauri Markkanen, who is 2-of-16 from the floor in the two games.

ABOUT THE NETS (19-41): Brooklyn is about to go through some lineup changes as well with guard Caris LeVert (knee) and small forward Rondae-Hollis Jefferson (groin) expected to rejoin the lineup on Monday. "They're our energy guys," Atkinson told reporters. "We obviously have been really struggling rebounding the ball. Rondae is one of our best rebounders, and Caris rebounds at a high level, too . . . We put Rondae on usually the best big player. We've put him on guards. He plugs a lot of holes, so it will be great for our defense getting him back." Hollis-Jefferson could take some playing time away from small forward DeMarre Carroll, who is shooting 30 percent from the floor over the last five contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls PF Bobby Portis is averaging 20.6 points over his last five games, raising his season mark to 13.

2. Nets SF Dante Cunningham scored 22 points on Thursday after totaling 12 in his first three games since being acquired from New Orleans.

3. Chicago took three of the four meetings last season, including a 118-88 win at Brooklyn on Oct. 31, 2016.

PREDICTION: Bulls 113, Nets 109