The Los Angeles Lakers (22-23) are gearing up for their last home game of January as they prepare to take on the Chicago Bulls (21-24) before embarking on a challenging 12-day, 6-game Grammy Trip. The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled to tip-off at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted on Spectrum SportsNet.

The Bulls have made an impressive turnaround this season, rebounding from a slow start of 5-14 to winning 16 of their last 26 games, putting them in the mix for the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Currently, both the Bulls and Lakers occupy the 9th spot in their respective conferences. Chicago's offensive efficiency has significantly improved during this turnaround, with their shooting percentage from beyond the arc increasing from 34.9% in their first 19 games to 36.8% in their last 16-10 stretch.

Coby White has been a key contributor to the Bulls' offensive success, averaging 22.9 points per game in his last 10 appearances while shooting an impressive 48.0% from the three-point line. DeMar DeRozan has seen a slight dip in his scoring average from 23.7 in December to 20.5 in January but has increased his shooting efficiency, converting 48.0% of his shots. The absence of Zach LaVine, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, has led to increased reliance on White and DeRozan.

Nikola Vucevic has been a standout performer for Chicago in January, leading the team with a plus/minus rating of +5.6. Former Laker Alex Caruso follows closely behind with a +1.9 rating. However, Andre Drummond, known for his rebounding prowess, has struggled this month with a -4.4 rating.

The outcome of the game may be determined in the first quarter, as the Bulls boast an impressive 15-3 record when leading after the opening period, but have struggled with a 6-20 record when trailing.

In their previous clash, the Lakers suffered a disappointing 124-108 defeat against the Bulls. D'Angelo Russell had one of his worst performances of the season, scoring only two points on 1 of 6 field goal attempts. Austin Reaves was the only Lakers' bench player to contribute significantly with 21 points. LeBron James recorded 25 points and nine assists but had a -11 rating, while Anthony Davis managed 19 points on 7 of 15 shooting.

Chicago capitalized on their three-point shooting, making 18 of 34 attempts. Four starters, including Patrick Williams, Vucevic, White, and Caruso, made at least three triples each. DeRozan excelled with his mid-range game, converting 12 of 14 shots inside the arc.

The Lakers have had a relatively relaxed schedule in January, spending most of the month playing at home. They went 5-6 during this stretch despite having the advantage of home court and being mostly healthy. Now, the team faces a tough road trip, which includes games against the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Charlotte Hornets. The outcome of these games will provide crucial insights into the Lakers' trajectory as the trade deadline approaches and the playoff race heats up.

As the Lakers prepare to bid farewell to their home court for a significant period, fans eagerly anticipate their matchup against the Bulls and hope to see their beloved team end the home stretch on a positive note.