Watch two games of the NBA 2021-22 regular season every week LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
Bulls to buck the trend?
Chicago head coach Billy Donovan has had to do without several key role players this season, but that hasn't stopped the Bulls from putting together a playoff-worthy campaign.
What has, however, are the three teams currently placed above them in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Bulls have yet to beat leaders Miami Heat, defending champions Milwaukee Bucks, and the Philadelphia 76ers this season, which raises questions around their legitimacy despite the efforts of MVP candidate, DeMar DeRozan.
With less than 15 games remaining, a victory over the West's best, the Phoenix Suns, would stand to change that perception, particularly as the schedule serves up the Heat and Bucks one last time next month.
Red hot Suns
The Phoenix Suns are on pace to crack the 60-win mark for just the fourth time in franchise history - a total no other team will likely touch in 2022.
Last season's disappointing Finals defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks has only fuelled their impressive foray to the top of the Western Conference standings, where a return to the title games appears almost inevitable.
Chicago know a thing or two about championships - just ask Phoenix - and will provide Monty Williams' men with quite the test in one of the few interconference matchups remaining in the Suns' schedule.
The Suns held on for a three-point victory the last time these two sides met and will fancy their chances on Saturday as a result.
Saturday, March 19
NBA - Chicago Bulls v Phoenix Suns
1:00pm - 4:00pm (AEDT)
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
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James on throne despite Lakers woes
It's been a season of disappointing proportions for the Los Angeles Lakers but that hasn't stopped LeBron James from making history every time he steps onto the court.
After becoming the first player in NBA history to tally at least 10,000 points, rebounds and assists, James has since set his sights on the all-time category in points scored, a record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Though that mark remains some way away for the 37-year-old, each historic step closer doubles as a victory - even if his efforts fail to avoid defeat.
"It's an honour to be a part of this league," James said. "And no matter what's going on this season, you try to take the victories that happen throughout the course of a long marathon."
The Lakers are on course to survive this marathon, albeit barely, but the diagnosis for the playoffs - or play-in, for that matter - looks far from promising.
Wizards need magic touch
The Washington Wizards are a far cry from the franchise that opened the season a surprising 5-1 through October.
Now, they're a far cry from the play-in tournament and, with less than 15 games remaining, quickly running out of time to snatch a spot.
A conference-worst losing skid has only exacerbated their pursuit, and matters could yet get worse if LeBron James has his way in the Wizards' rematch with the Lakers.
James had the magic touch with 50 points last week, and the Wizards will have their fingers crossed they'll be able to conjure up a spell to stop him on Sunday.
Sunday, March 20
NBA - Los Angeles Lakers v Washington Wizards
11:00am - 2:00pm (AEDT)
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
