Chicago Bulls vs Memphis Prediction 10 October 2026

New head coach Splitter hammered home one message throughout Chicago’s training camp: pace. He wants the Bulls to push the tempo, attack in the opening seconds, and thrive in fluid, interchangeable lineups. Their opener against the Suns proved the concept has legs - while conceding 40 points in the first quarter was a red flag, Chicago locked Phoenix down to just 77 points over the next three quarters and rallied for a comeback win. The starting five is already set at four spots: Giddey, Powell, Buzelis, and Wilson. Giddey, now fully cleared after ankle surgery, posted 12 points and 7 assists in his debut, dictating the team’s tempo and orchestrating the offense.

The main question mark remains at center. Claxton is sidelined for at least two weeks, while Collins is still rehabbing a hand injury. Smith looks like the most likely candidate to start, but he’s also not fully fit. If he can’t go, Splitter may have to turn to Avaku or even slide Wilson or Buzelis into the five spot. Against the Grizzlies, that could be a major vulnerability - Boozer and J. Jackson bring serious athleticism and aggression on the glass.

In Memphis’ opening two preseason games, all eyes were on Cameron Boozer, the top pick of the 2026 draft, who has become the focal point of this new-look team following Ja Morant’s departure. Against Atlanta, Boozer posted 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, showcasing his potential as a versatile forward. Fans were also pleased to see Edey back on the court after undergoing two foot surgeries. He started against Orlando but logged only 10 minutes, finishing with 2 points and 4 rebounds. Head coach Iisalo made it clear that he will be “monitoring his minutes very closely.” It’s unlikely the big man will see more than 20 minutes per game during preseason action.

Under Iisalo’s system, the Grizzlies’ offense is built around quick decision-making and active ball movement. Unsurprisingly, the team racked up 32 assists in their first outing. However, Memphis may struggle on the boards against Chicago’s uptempo style, especially if Edey is sidelined during crucial stretches. With Stewart sidelined by injury and Edey on a minutes restriction, the franchise is expected to deploy Post at center, with Hendricks and Cooper rotating in as his backups.