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

The Milwaukee Bucks (7-10) will be without center Andrew Bogut when they face off with the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Bulls (16-4) on Friday night.

Bogut suffered a potentially serious ankle injury against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. There's currently no timetable for his return, but the Bucks lineup will take a significant hit without him. While the former first-overall pick has a ton of talent, he simply can't stay healthy.

Chicago has been showing off its own terrific depth in recent weeks while star point guard Derrick Rose was sidelined with a toe injury. The Bulls went 4-1 in the five games he missed, but he's since returned to the lineup and will be ready to roll for tonight's clash.

Where: United Center in Chicago, Ill.

When: Friday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX Sports Wisconsin (Bucks) or WCIU TV (Bulls)

Listen: WTMJ 620 AM (Bucks) or WMVP 1000 AM (Bulls)

Betting Line: Bulls -11.5

Key Injuries (via CBS Sports)

Bucks: Andrew Bogut (out, ankle)

Bulls: Luol Deng (out, wrist), Taj Gibson (questionable, ankle) and John Lucas (probable, groin)

What's At Stake?

For Milwaukee, who currently holds the eighth playoff spot in the East, this game is about finding out which players will step up in Bogut's absence. Veteran Drew Gooden will likely get the first chance to snag the starting spot.

The Bulls will want to keep their early roll alive, because every win now will make life easier on head coach Tom Thibodeau as the condensed season wears on. Players are going to need some breaks before the playoffs, and it's easier to give them if the team is leading the conference.

What They're Saying

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports that Luol Deng is hoping to play through his wrist injury instead of undergoing surgery:

"

With Luol Deng aiming to return Sunday in Miami with a torn ligament in his left wrist, the question moves to whether the organization will let him.

Such decisions are collaborative. The organization supported Deng when he made the decision to try to play through the injury rather than opt for surgery now. Thus, it stands to reason when Deng says he can tolerate the pain, he will play.

"

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Lori Nickel examined Shaun Livingston's return from a serious knee injury and how difficult the climb back to the NBA was for a former highly-touted young player:

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The NBA was mocked far and wide for a lockout that so few seemed to care about, but do you think Shaun Livingston wasn't checking his phone every hour waiting for a deal? To continue what he started last year? His movie career is on hold. This is his passion. Patience is for the young.

"And I'm the oldest 26-year-old in the league," said Livingston. "Maybe in the world."

"

Bucks Player to Watch: Stephen Jackson

Jackson is having his worst statistical season in nearly a decade. He's average just 13 points, three rebounds and three assists per game—well short of what the Bucks were expecting when they brought him in during the offseason.

If Milwaukee plans on staying competitive in the playoff race, Jackson will need to be a lot more effective on the offensive end. Past performance says his shooting percentages will improve, so it comes down to being more aggressive when he's got the ball.

Bulls Player to Watch: Richard Hamilton

Nobody was sure what to expect when Hamilton signed with the Bulls. Injuries had seemingly made him a shell of his former dynamic self, and he was coming off his worst year in a long, long time. The season is still young, but so far, the results have been solid.

He's averaging 15 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the floor. He's also playing with more intensity on the defensive end. As long as he remains a meaningful contributor, the Bulls will be legitimate title contenders.

Key Matchup: Brandon Jennings vs. Derrick Rose

Jennings finally seems to be coming into his own at the NBA level. Even though he was good in his first two seasons, he's taken it up a notch so far in 2012. He's averaging 20 points and six assists and is regularly the best player on the floor for Milwaukee.

He'll receive a good test against Rose tonight, though. The reigning league MVP is having another terrific season and appears back up to full speed. Look for him to lead the Bulls to victory by using Jennings' defensive deficiencies to his advantage.

Prediction

Bulls 101, Bucks 87