CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The Bulls will sit forward Otto Porter Jr. for "load management" reasons against the Hawks on Sunday afternoon, coach Jim Boylen said.
The decision came after Porter played 54-plus minutes in the team's 168-161 win in quadruple overtime at Atlanta on Friday night. Porter missed a game with a lower leg strain last Monday, and that ailment is still on the Bulls' mind.
"Just want to protect that calf and just his overall soreness," Boylen said. "He wanted to play. It's the kind of competitor he is, but we feel it's best for him and for the team that he takes the day with the amount of soreness that he has and how he's feeling."
The Bulls are 6-2 with Porter in the lineup. He's averaging 19.8 points on 51.8 percent shooting with Chicago. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is likely to start in Porter's place, Boylen said.
Porter's absence also could benefit the Bulls in the draft lottery race. While the Bulls won't admit it publicly, a loss to the Hawks on Sunday afternoon would be beneficial. Chicago (18-45) holds the fourth-worse record in the NBA, while Atlanta (21-42) holds the fifth-worst record. The team with the fourth-worst record has a 12.5 percent chance at landing the No. 1 pick, while the fifth-worst team has a 10.5 percent chance. Sunday marks the final time the teams play this season.
Bulls guard Zach LaVine is set to play after being listed as probable with lower back soreness. He had a career-high 47 points in 55-plus minutes Friday.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.
