Nikola Vučević rises up for the slam in the Bulls last matchup with the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 25, 2024.

The Chicago Bulls (30-40) look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they battle the Los Angeles Lakers (43-26) for the first time this season on Saturday night (10:30 ET, League Pass). This is the first of two matchups in five days between these squads as we approach the final few weeks of the NBA regular season.

Here are five things to watch for tonight: 

• Nikola Vučević ramping up: Vučević is starting to get his legs back under him after missing seven games with a calf injury from Feb. 24 – Mar. 8. He’s reached the 30-minute mark in three consecutive outings, and is averaging 19.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 52.6% from three during that stretch.
• Josh Giddey expected back: Giddey looks like he’ll return to the Bulls’ starting unit after sitting out Thursday’s comeback win over Sacramento. He played in Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix following a three-game absence because of an ankle sprain, playing 31 minutes on his way to 22 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and a block on 10-for-15 shooting. The Aussie has scored 22-plus points in three straight appearances, and he’s averaging 25.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists, a steal and a block on shooting splits of 62.5% FG/53.8% 3PT/90.9% FT over that stretch.
• Tough road ahead for LA?: After their clash with Chicago, which ends a five-game homestand for Los Angeles, the Lakers head out for four straight contests on the road. Ten of their final 13 games are against teams currently slated for a postseason berth, with eight of those away from the friendly confines of Crypto.com Arena, including two at Oklahoma City the first week of April. LA is a sparkling 28-8 at home but just 15-18 on the road, setting the table for what could be a chaotic shuffling in the standings out West.
• Austin Reaves should be back in action: The Lakers had their three-game win streak snapped by the Bucks on Thursday night at home, but they were without a handful of starters and rotation guys, including Reaves. In his last six appearances, the fourth-year undrafted guard has caught fire with 27.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals with shooting splits of 48.7% FG/38.5% 3PT/93.8% FT in a little over 37 minutes a night. Reaves is having a massive season for L.A., averaging career-highs in points (19.6), free throw percentage (87.4), rebounds (4.5), assists (6.0), steals (1.2) and minutes per game (34.6).
• Bronny James showing strides: As previously mentioned, the Lakers were without their top four scorers and some key reserves on Thursday, but Bronny James played heavy minutes in his best game as a pro. He finished with a career-high 17 points and 5 assists in 30 minutes, also adding 3 rebounds and a block while going 7-for-10 from the field and 2-for-4 from behind the arc. It was the first time hitting double figures in 22 NBA games for Bronny, who may have earned some more playing time moving forward.