Bulls vs Grizzlies March 28: Live Score & Updates

Bulls vs. Grizzlies, March 28, 2026: Game Preview, Key Players, Odds & What to Watch

Two lottery-bound teams. A combined 20 players on injury reports. Back-to-back fatigue. And still — Bulls vs. Grizzlies on March 28, 2026 is one of the most talked-about NBA games of the night. Why? Because when the starters sit, role players shine, and tonight's matchup at FedExForum is shaping up to be a showcase of depth, hustle, and breakout performances. Whether you're betting the spread, streaming the game, or just following the chaos of an injury-riddled late-season contest, here's everything you need to know.

Chicago entered at 29-44 (12th in the East); Memphis at 24-49 (12th in the West). Neither team is playing for a playoff spot — but players are playing for contracts, pride, and momentum. That makes this appointment viewing for a certain kind of NBA fan. Follow live updates via USA Today.

Game Snapshot: Setting the Stage

The game tipped off at 8:00 p.m. ET on March 28, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Both teams arrived exhausted — this was the second night of a back-to-back for each squad. Chicago fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. Memphis lost at home to the Houston Rockets, despite a heroic 31-point, 7-rebound performance from Olivier-Maxence Prosper.

Through the first quarter, the Bulls held a narrow 30-28 lead, with Collin Sexton already posting 11 points. DeJon Jarreau paced Memphis with 10. It's that kind of game — unlikely names on the scoresheet, every possession contested.

1. Collin Sexton (Chicago Bulls) — The Offensive Engine

Key Role & Recent Form

With multiple Bulls starters unavailable, Collin Sexton has emerged as Chicago's primary scoring threat. He dropped 22 points off the bench in Friday's loss to OKC and came out firing again tonight with 11 first-quarter points against Memphis.

• Style: Explosive scorer, pull-up jumper specialist, relentless in pick-and-roll
• Pros: Can create his own shot, consistent scorer in high-usage situations, thrives as a secondary star
• Cons: Limited playmaking upside, susceptible to turnovers under pressure
• Fantasy/Betting Value: High — back-to-back performance suggests he's locked in

Sexton's role tonight is amplified by the absence of Anfernee Simons, who fractured his left wrist on February 22 and has been sidelined since. See the full injury report breakdown here.

2. Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls) — The Playmaking Wildcard

Key Role & Recent Form

Josh Giddey is quietly putting together one of the more intriguing statistical stretches of any Bull this season. He has recorded 12 or more assists in six of his last nine games — a staggering playmaking clip for a team without consistent offensive weapons.

• Style: High-IQ passer, facilitator, secondary rebounder
• Pros: Elite assist volume, excellent court vision, raises teammates' efficiency
• Cons: Inconsistent scorer, can be a defensive liability against quicker guards
• Fantasy/Betting Value: High for assists props — he posted 13 assists in his first matchup with Memphis this season

Giddey's presence makes Chicago dangerous even without elite scoring. If he's finding shooters and keeping the pace up, the Bulls' offense becomes surprisingly difficult to contain.

3. Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls) — The Rising Star

Key Role & Recent Form

Perhaps the most exciting player to watch in this game on the Bulls' side, Matas Buzelis has been on an extended tear. Over his last 10 games, he's averaged 21.8 points and 7.1 rebounds — numbers that suggest a genuine breakout player in the making.

• Style: Long, versatile forward — can score in the mid-range, attack the rim, and step out to the three-point line
• Pros: Elite athleticism, defensive versatility, high ceiling as a young player
• Cons: Still raw in half-court execution, foul-prone against physical bigs
• Fantasy/Betting Value: Excellent — his recent form makes him one of the better value picks on tonight's slate

Buzelis is the kind of player Bulls fans are watching closely as the franchise evaluates its future direction. Tonight is another opportunity to make a statement.

4. GG Jackson (Memphis Grizzlies) — Memphis's Offensive Anchor

Key Role & Recent Form

With Ja Morant, Zach Edey, and Ty Jerome all out, GG Jackson has shouldered a massive offensive load for the Grizzlies in March — and delivered. He's averaging 22.5 points across 12 March games, including a 24.7-point average over his last three.

• Style: Versatile scorer — three-point range, mid-post threat, able to draw fouls
• Pros: High usage efficiency, thriving in expanded role, legitimate top-20 player upside
• Cons: Can be streaky from deep, still developing as a playmaker for others
• Fantasy/Betting Value: Must-start on tonight's slate — he's the Grizzlies' go-to option and his scoring line is the most predictable on Memphis's roster

Jackson's development this season has been one of the silver linings of a brutal year in Memphis. Check the full lineup and prediction breakdown at MSN Sports.

5. Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Memphis Grizzlies) — The Momentum Carrier

Key Role & Recent Form

Coming off a career-highlight 31-point, 7-rebound performance against Houston on Friday, Olivier-Maxence Prosper walks into tonight's game with serious confidence. The Canadian forward has quickly become one of Memphis's most reliable contributors during this injury crisis.

• Style: Athletic wing — drives to the basket, aggressive rebounder, improving three-point shooter
• Pros: Exceptional motor, elite athleticism for his position, back-to-back durability shown
• Cons: Can over-penetrate at times, still inconsistent from the perimeter
• Fantasy/Betting Value: Strong — the question is whether back-to-back fatigue dampens his output after a career night

6. DeJon Jarreau (Memphis Grizzlies) — The Unsung Playmaker

Key Role & Recent Form

With Ty Jerome and Ja Morant both out, DeJon Jarreau is running the Grizzlies' offense — and he came out with 10 first-quarter points against Chicago. Jarreau represents the depth of Memphis's injury-forced lineup shuffles, a player who might not be on a roster in a normal season but is a starter tonight.

• Style: Undersized guard — uses quickness and court vision, best in transition
• Pros: Serviceable ball-handler, capable scorer in the right matchup, active defensively
• Cons: Limited by athleticism at the NBA level, not a reliable three-point threat
• Fantasy/Betting Value: Speculative — his strong first quarter may not hold over 48 minutes, but worth monitoring

7. The Betting Angle — Odds, Spread & Trends

Tonight's Lines at a Glance

For bettors and DFS players, this game presents a layered set of questions. Here's the market breakdown:

• Spread: Bulls -3.5 (-110) / Grizzlies +3 (slight line variation by book)
• Over/Under: 245 total points
• Bulls road record vs. total: Chicago has hit the Over in 21 of 35 road games this season — a massive lean
• Defensive concerns: Over the last 10 games, the Bulls have allowed the third-most points per game (128.1); the Grizzlies have allowed the fourth-most (126.4)

When two of the league's worst defensive teams play on back-to-back nights with depleted rosters, pace tends to rise and defense tends to suffer. The Over at 245 looks attractive given the context. Read the full prediction and picks analysis at Yahoo Sports.

Comparison Summary: Who Has the Edge?

Category	Chicago Bulls	Memphis Grizzlies
Record	29-44	24-49
Top Scorer (Tonight)	Collin Sexton (11 pts, Q1)	DeJon Jarreau (10 pts, Q1)
Injuries	7 players out	13 players out
Best Individual Form	Buzelis (21.8 pts/10 games)	GG Jackson (22.5 pts in March)
Defensive Efficiency (L10)	128.1 pts allowed (3rd worst)	126.4 pts allowed (4th worst)
Betting Edge	Favored by 3.5	Home court advantage

Edge: Chicago — better record, fewer injuries, and a proven scorer in Sexton with supporting firepower from Giddey and Buzelis. But Memphis's home court and GG Jackson's March form make this far from a sure thing. Full injury and odds preview available at MSN.

FAQ: Bulls vs. Grizzlies, March 28, 2026

Is Ja Morant playing tonight against the Bulls?

No. Ja Morant is listed on Memphis's injury report and is not playing in tonight's game. Memphis entered with 13 players on their injury report, with Morant among the notable absences alongside Zach Edey and Ty Jerome.

Is Anfernee Simons playing for Chicago?

No. Simons has been out since February 22, 2026 with a fractured left wrist and remains sidelined for the Bulls. He is among four Bulls players ruled out for the season.

What is the Over/Under for Bulls vs. Grizzlies?

The total is set at 245 points. Given that both teams rank among the NBA's worst defensive units over the last 10 games — and both are playing the second night of a back-to-back — scoring should be accessible. Chicago has hit the Over in 21 of 35 road games this season.

Where can I watch Bulls vs. Grizzlies tonight?

The game tipped off at 8:00 p.m. ET at FedExForum in Memphis. Check your local listings for regional broadcast details, and follow live score updates via USA Today's live blog.

Watching Guide: How to Get the Most Out of This Game

This isn't a marquee playoff matchup — but it's loaded with storylines worth tracking. Here's how to approach it:

• Watch GG Jackson closely. His March surge is genuine. At 22.5 points per game over 12 games, he's making a case for a serious role expansion next season — and he's doing it against real competition.
• Monitor Buzelis's two-way play. His offensive numbers have been elite. The question is whether he can hold his own defensively against Memphis's athletic wings.
• Track Giddey's assist count. Six games with 12+ assists in nine tries is historic-level playmaking. If he approaches double digits in dimes, Chicago controls the tempo.
• Back-to-back fatigue shows up late. The second half of back-to-back games often sees third-quarter collapses. Watch for the Bulls' or Grizzlies' legs going flat around the 7-8 minute mark of Q3.
• Bet the game with context, not just the line. At -3.5, Chicago is slightly favored — but Memphis has home court and a legitimate star in GG Jackson. The Over at 245 is the sharper lean given defensive metrics on both sides.
• Keep an eye on Adama Bal. Memphis signed him to a 10-day contract on game day. Emergency signings in late-season injury crises occasionally produce memorable moments — watch for his debut minutes.

Bottom line: Bulls vs. Grizzlies on March 28 is not about standings. It's about player development, betting value, and the kind of raw, unfiltered basketball that only late-season, injury-depleted rosters can produce. Sexton, Buzelis, and Giddey against Jackson and Prosper — with Jarreau throwing a wrench in the works — makes for genuinely compelling NBA viewing.