Pacers vs. Bulls: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Chicago Bulls are hosting the Indiana Pacers tonight in a Central Division battle, the first matchup since their playoff meeting last season.

These two teams are both on the up-and-up, and barring something drastic, will be right back in the postseason at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.

It should be a good one tonight, so keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the contest.

Where: United Center, Chicago, IL

When: Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. EDT

Watch: NBA TV, NBA League Pass (Live Stream)

Betting Line: Bulls -8.5

Key Injuries

Pacers

A.J. Price—PG (Illness)

Bulls

Luol Deng—SF (Wrist)

Taj Gibson—PF  (Ankle)

John Lucas—PG  (Groin)

What's At Stake?

The Bulls have the best record in the league, but the Pacers aren’t too far behind them.

Chicago has undergone a myriad of injuries to some of their best players, but it still has not slowed them down.

They look poised to make another deep playoff run, while Indiana might be a dark horse contender.

These two teams last met in the first round of last year’s postseason, which Chicago ran away with in five games.

What They're Saying

K.C. Johnson at The Chicago Tribune caught up with Luol Deng of the Bulls, who is refusing surgery to make sure he can contribute this season.

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"It's going to be painful at times, but I will have to deal with it," Deng said. "The soreness has gone down a lot in two days. Every day I will keep treating it and see if I can get rid of the soreness.

"We have a very good chance of doing something special. I feel that without the surgery I will be fine. I just know what I can and can't do with it. I think I will be very effective out there. We're going to try to control how sore it gets. Everybody's body responds differently. I'm very confident I'll be able to handle it."

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Mike Wells over at The Indianapolis Star pointed out that Pacers center, Roy Hibbert, is going to be wearing a protective mask for some time.

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Hibbert tried to wear a mask Sunday but he couldn't find one that fit. He settled for playing with cotton stuffed in his nose.

"I went to see the people here in Indy that made a mask for Jeff (Foster) a couple of years ago," Hibbert said. "They made one for me and it fits pretty well."

 

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Pacers Player to Watch: Danny Granger

With Luol Deng out, Granger is the key to this game for the Pacers. He’s their leading scorer and one of the most skilled players on the roster.

Chicago Player to Watch: Derrick Rose

The reigning MVP is having another solid season, shooting less and getting his teammates more involved.

He’s missed a few games due to injury but has been solid besides that.

Key Matchup: Small Forward

Indiana has a number of players that can play the three with immense size, while Chicago is limited with Deng out.

Prediction

Bulls—95, Pacers—94