Chicago Bulls vs. LA Clippers: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

Lob City and the Los Angeles Clippers will host the Chicago Bulls in a game that will reveal if Blake Griffin and company can pull off alley oops against just anyone. Chicago boasts one of the best, if not the best defense in the NBA and will be ready for any backdoor cuts to the hoop looking for a lob. This season, the 1-1 Clippers have championship expectations for the first time in a long, while the 2-1 Bulls want to make up for their disappointing finish last year.

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

When: Friday, Dec. 30 at 10:30 p.m. EST

Watch: NBA TV

Listen: 1000 ESPN Chicago, 710 ESPN Los Angeles

Betting Line: Chicago -2, according to freesportsbet.com

Key Injuries

According to ESPN, LA’s Reggie Evans is day-to-day with a foot injury.  The rebounding machine didn’t play in the Clippers' first two games of the season.

What’s At Stake?

After starting their season off with fireworks and a 19-point win over the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs gave the Clippers a 25-point reality check on Wednesday night. Another big loss to a legitimate contender could expose LA as nothing but a hype machine.

Chicago, on the other hand, must keep pace with the East’s talented hype machine in the Miami Heat. The Bulls couldn’t finish their first back-to-back of the season strong, as an emotional hangover from their Christmas Day victory over the Lakers potentially caused a letdown vs. the Warriors. After taking out the Sacramento Kings last night, Chicago must fair better in their second back-to-back of the year.

What They’re Saying

According to ESPN, Chris Paul talked to the media after the Spurs slaughtered his new squad, saying that he deserves to shoulder the blame:

“We are going to practice and figure out what we did right and figure out what we did wrong.  First things first, we need to start with me.”

After the Warriors game, Derrick Rose admitted the difficulty of playing through foul trouble, saying:

“I wanted to be more aggressive and attack the hole. (Fouls) are something I have to get through and can't worry about. I'm just happy we won the game.”

Bulls Player to Watch

Carlos Boozer is the Bulls’ X-factor every single night. He is only averaging 12.3 points a contest through three games, and those numbers must improve for Chicago to return to the Eastern Finals.  The vertically challenged Boozer will be tested greatly against the athletic freaks of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

Clippers Player to Watch

DeAndre Jordan may make SportsCenter every other night for his dunking and shot blocking ability, but his rebounding and ability in the post will be on full display against Joakim Noah. Jordan is 30 pounds heavier than Noah, but he doesn’t have the former Florida Gator’s heart. If Jordan can hold his own against the feisty Bulls center, then it would be a huge step in the right direction.

Key Matchup

Derrick Rose vs. Chris Paul

Two out of the top three point guards in the league will match up in this one, making Friday night’s showdown a must-watch game. Rose and Paul are the vocal leaders and at the same time, the most talented players on their squads. Whichever floor general can win this head-to-head will give his team a major advantage.

Prediction

LA has more big names, but the Bulls are the better team. Their players have been with each other much longer, and because of that, they possess superior chemistry. The Clippers may put on a show for their fans, but Chicago will be the ones left standing.

Chicago 97-92

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels