Chicago Bulls set to play Lopez, Holiday again after questions from league office

The Chicago Bulls are expected to return Robin Lopez and Justin Holiday to the playing rotation after getting questions from the NBA office.

After the all-star break, the Bulls announced plans to give younger players more playing time. Since then, Holiday has played in one game and Lopez none. But the plan doesn't mesh with the league's player-rest policies.

The NBA approved player-rest rules last fall, stating that teams face a $100,000 fine if they sit healthy players for national TV games, rest multiple healthy players for the same game or rest healthy players for road games.

"After the all-star break, we had communication with the league office about Robin's and Justin's roles," said Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson in a statement. "After healthy dialogue, the league determined that their situations fall into the 'player rest' policy. We respect the communication and cooperative dialogue with the league and will adhere to their recommendations."

Both Lopez and Holiday have continued to practice with the team, so they should be available to play Wednesday when the Bulls host Memphis.