RealGM Basketball Wiretap

20 April 2024

• Alex Caruso Expects To Play In Friday's Play-In Game

  Alex Caruso expects to play in the Chicago Bulls' play-in game against the Miami Heat on Friday.

  Caruso sustained a left ankle injury on Wednesday night when Andre Drummond stepped on his right foot.

  Caruso said the swelling around his ankle had not been an issue and he was expecting to be ready to go for Friday's elimination game.

• Heat-Sixers Play-In Tournament Game Averages 3.4M Viewers

  Wednesday night's Play-In Tournament games averaged 3.25 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2.

  The number is a 25% increase from last year.

  The Sixers' win over the Heat averaged 3.4 million viewers, with the Hawks-Bulls nightcap averaged 3.07 million viewers.

  Tuesday night's Warriors-Kings game averaged 4.05 million viewers.

• Alex Caruso Is Game-Time Decision For Friday Versus Heat

  Alex Caruso has been upgraded to a game-time decision to play against the Miami Heat on Friday.

  Caruso suffered a left ankle sprain on Wednesday against the Hawks.

  With swelling reducing around the ankle, there is optimism that Caruso could play against the Heat.

• Alex Caruso Has 'Significant' Left Ankle Sprain, Doubtful For Friday

  Alex Caruso has a "significant" left ankle sprain, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

  Caruso is doubtful for the Bulls' play-in tournament game against the Heat on Friday.

  Caruso suffered the injury when Andre Drummond stepped on his foot during Wednesday night's win over the Hawks.

• NBA Playoffs 2024: Eastern Conference First Round Matchups

  The Eastern Conference seeds are set following the end of regular season on Sunday. The first round begins on Saturday, April 20th.

  First Round Matchups

  • No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 (Sixers, Heat, Bulls or Hawks)

  • No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 (Sixers or Heat)

  • No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers

  • No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic

  Play-In

  • No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat

  • No. 9 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 10 Atlanta Hawks

• Billy Donovan Hasn't Had Contact With Kentucky, Committed To Bulls

  Billy Donovan said he has not had any contact with the University of Kentucky about their head coaching vacancy and remains committed to the Chicago Bulls.

  "I have not been contacted by anybody, I haven't spoken to anybody," Donovan told reporters, adding that his answer would remain the same even if he was contacted. "My total commitment and focus is here to this team and to this group."

  John Calipari stepped down as head coach of Kentucky this week for the same job with Arkansas.

  Donovan began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Kentucky under Rick Pitino from 1989 until 1993. Donovan won back-to-back national championships at Florida. Donovan left Florida to become head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015 before joining the Bulls in 2020.

  "I'm happy here at this level," Donovan said. "I know I enjoy coaching and I know I enjoy coaching in the NBA."

  The Bulls have Donovan under contract for two more years.

• Bulls To Match Up Versus Hawks For Play-In Game On April 17

  The Chicago Bulls will play the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in game between the No. 9 seed and No. 10 seed on April 17.

  The Bulls, who own a tiebreaker over the Hawks, have a magic number of three to clinch a home game.

  The winner of the matchup will face the loser of the No. 7 seed versus No. 8 seed on April 19.

• Javonte Green, Bulls Agree To Deal For Remainder Of Season

  Javonte Green and the Chicago Bulls have agreed to a contract for the remainder of the season.

  Green has played three games with the Bulls while on a 10-day deal, averaging 5.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 17.0 minutes.

  Green is represented by Duncan Lloyd.

• Javonte Green, Bulls Agree To 10-Day Contract

  The Chicago Bulls and wing Javonte Green have agreed to a 10-day contract. Green has spent this season with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G League.

  Green previously played for Chicago from 2021 through 2023. The Bulls acquired Green from the Boston Celtics in a deal at the 2021 trade deadline.

  In 10 games with Santa Cruz, Green has averaged 12.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.

• 'Growing Buzz' Lonzo Ball Will Play Next Season

  There is "growing buzz" that Lonzo Ball will attempt to play for the Chicago Bulls next season, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

  Ball has not played since January 14, 2022 due to a knee injury.

  Ball has a player option for the 2024-25 season worth $21 million.

  Johnson adds that there was little interest in acquiring Ball's contract at the trade deadline.