The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.

The Bulls (36-38) have quietly been one of the best teams in the NBA over the last month, posting a 7-2 record across their last nine games. That run has nearly secured a berth into the play-in tournament, with Chicago sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference. While that is the final spot, the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards are down 3.5 games behind them. Those teams are in tanking mode too, and it looks like Chicago will sneak in. No one wants to play a team that's this hot either because they have the talent to compete with anyone. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic form one of the best threesomes in the NBA, and they'll be a threat until the end.

The Clippers (39-36) come into this matchup losing three of their last five games. That poor stretch is putting a damper on LA's playoff hopes because they're in jeopardy of falling into the play-in tournament. Los Angeles is fifth in the west right now, but they're only 2.5 games up om the teams in ninth and 10th. That's scary since the Clippers just lost Paul George, and it's a wonder how this club will respond without the All-Star. The good news is that his injury isn't too serious, and there's some thought he could be back for the postseason. If that is the case, the Clippers have to be one of the favorites in a convoluted Western Conference.

These teams played back on January 31, with Los Angeles prevailing, 108-103. That gives the Clippers 10 wins in their last 13 meetings with the Bulls in total.