Charlotte @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 27, 2018 ) Chicago 103, Charlotte 118

The Charlotte Hornets became the latest Eastern Conference team to be mathematically eliminated from the postseason race over the weekend after suffering three straight losses. The Hornets are embracing the player-development portion of the schedule through the end of the season and visit the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

Charlotte dropped a 119-102 decision at home to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday but ramped up the minutes for the likes of rookie Malik Monk and seldom-used second-year point guard Julyan Stone. "I thought Julyan Stone, for a guy who hasn’t played really," Hornets coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "It’s stuff you guys wouldn’t see, but in terms of allowing people to execute his defense on both (Marco) Belinelli and (JJ) Redick was outstanding." The Bulls are no strangers to being out of the postseason race and continue to push their own player development but took some time out on Sunday to throw a wrench into the East standings by knocking off the playoff-bound Washington Wizards 113-94. Twelve different players logged at least 15 minutes as Chicago shot 52.4 percent from the floor in the victory.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE HORNETS (33-44): All-Star guard Kemba Walker was limited to 26 minutes on Sunday as Charlotte expanded the minutes down the roster, allowing Stone and Monk to get more of an opportunity. While Stone made his presence felt on the defensive end, Monk contributed on the other side of the floor by scoring 16 points and burying four 3-pointers in 24 minutes. Center Willy Hernangomez picked up some extra minutes at the expense of veteran Dwight Howard and responded with 15 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes.

ABOUT THE BULLS (26-51): Veterans Robin Lopez and Justin Holiday combined to go 8-of-11 from the floor and each played 17 minutes, but it was the younger players doing the bulk of the damage in Sunday's triumph. Rookie forward Lauri Markkanen scored a team-high 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting and buried five 3-pointers while hauling in six rebounds in 25 minutes. Bobby Portis, 23, played just 16 minutes in the win but made his presence felt with 18 points to mark the 11th time in the last 12 games that he reached double figures.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls PG Kris Dunn (toe) sat out the last eight games and reportedly will be shut down for the remainder of the season.

2. Charlotte SG Nicolas Batum scored in single digits in each of the last four games after returning from an Achilles injury.

3. Chicago took two of the first three meetings this season, including a 123-120 home win on Nov. 17.

PREDICTION: Hornets 113, Bulls 106