The San Antonio Spurs came into their rematch with the Chicago Bulls with 4 losses on the trot including an 0-3 start in their record 9 game long home stand. For the 3rd straight game, they were without swingman Lonnie Walker IV, and Pop told the media that he would be out for at least another week. For the Bulls it was their first game with their All-Star addition Nikola Vucevic who started along with Zach LaVine for the first time.
The Spurs, who have been struggling on offense ever since their March 2nd blowout of the Knicks, started the game uncharacteristically fast by scoring 11 points in the first 3 minutes which prompted a timeout by Billy Donovan.