The Oklahoma City Thunder play host to the Chicago Bulls at the Paycom Center on Friday night.

The Chicago Bulls have been in a funk as they’ve lost six of their last nine games, but they will be gunning for a third straight victory after sneaking past the Bucks in a 118-113 road win on Wednesday. DeMar DeRozan led the team with 36 points and eight assists on 14 of 24 shooting, Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine each scored 18 points while Coby White chipped in with 14 points off the bench. As a team, the Bulls shot 49 percent from the field and 18 of 42 from the 3-point line as they went back and forth with the Bucks in a tight contest, until the third quarter where they started to gain some separation thanks to scoring barrage from DeRozan who was the difference in the end.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in a slump as they’ve lost eight of their last 11 games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a three-game skid after getting stopped by the Nuggets in a 131-126 overtime loss on Wednesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 31 points and 11 assists, Isaiah Joe added 21 points while Luguentz Dort chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Thunder shot just 43 percent from the field and 18 of 40 from the 3-point line as rallied back from a 19-point lead only to squander a lead of their own and lose in overtime.

The Bulls are still missing Goran Dragic, while the Thunder are still without Mike Muscala who will be re-evaluated in two weeks. The Bulls have been a little below their best lately, but they would’ve taken so much confidence from their gritty win over the Bucks on Wednesday thanks to a big game from DeRozan. The Thunder have cooled off a bit recently and their overtime loss to the Nuggets must’ve really hurt as they looked to be in control for most of the contest. It’s hard to back either team with much confidence these days, but DeRozan has been in great form for the Bulls and I think he can carry his team over the line in a close one.