Bulls' Robin Lopez: Will return to starting five Friday

Lopez (suspension) will return to action Friday against the 76ers and start at center, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Analysis:

Lopez served his one-game suspension during Wednesday's win over the Pistons, leaving the Bulls quite shorthanded at center with he and Cristiano Felicio (back) sidelined. Joffrey Lauvergne ended up entering the starting five as a result of those absences and turned in 17 points, seven boards, three assists and one steal in 28 minutes, but although Felicio remains out Friday, Lauvergne will transition back to a lower-minute role off the bench now that Lopez is available. Lopez is averaging 12.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 assists in 27.8 minutes per game over 11 appearances in March and makes for a low-upside DFS option at center.