Bulls' Nikola Mirotic: To start at power forward Thursday

Mirotic will draw the start at power forward Thursday against the Pacers, Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago reports.

Analysis:

Mirotic came off the bench in the Bulls' preseason opener Monday against the Bucks, but he'll move into the starting lineup as Taj Gibson shifts to a reserve role. That duo, as well as second-year big man Bobby Portis, will battle for the starting job throughout the preseason, and it's likely that all three will hold major roles during the regular season. Gibson is the most consistent and best defender of the bunch, but Mirotic's floor-spacing ability may be needed in a starting lineup that'll feature a non-shooter in Robin Lopez and three average, at best, three-point threats in Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler.