Bucks vs. Bulls: TV Info, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The Chicago Bulls host the Milwaukee Bucks in both teams' last game before the All-Star break.
The Bulls are coming off an impressive 90-79 win at home over the Atlanta Hawks. The team improved to 26-8 as Derrick Rose returned and led the Bulls with 23 points. It was his first game back after missing the last five with back spasms.
The team held the fort pretty well without the reigning MVP, going 3-2 in those games. Overall, the Bulls are 7-3 without Rose this season.
Milwaukee is coming off a close 93-90 loss at home versus the Orlando Magic. The Bucks fell to 13-19 on the season, but Brandon Jennings did have 22 points in the losing effort. It has been a difficult stretch for the Bucks of late. They have lost five of six overall.
The two teams have met twice this year, and the Bulls have won both matchups. Tonight they will invade their neighbors to the south and renew this Midwestern NBA rivalry.
Where: United Center, Chicago, Ill.
When: Wednesday, Feb 22, 8:00 EDT
Watch: NBA League Pass, Comcast Sports Chicago, Fox Sports Net, WI
Live Stream: NBA.com through League Pass
Listen: ESPN 1000: WMVP-AM, Chicago, 620 WTMJ, Milwaukee
Betting Line: Bulls are 12 point favorites per oddshark.com
Chicago Bulls Key Injuries
Richard Hamilton (sore groin): Out per ESPN.com
"Hamilton (groin) has rejoined the Bulls but he's still at least a week from returning from his groin injury, the Chicago Tribune reports.
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C.J. Watson (concussion): Out per ESPN.com
"Chicago Bulls point guard C.J. Watson will miss his second consecutive game Wednesday because of concussion-like symptoms
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Milwaukee Key Injuries
Andrew Bogut (Ankle): Out
Drew Gooden (Wrist): Day to Day
What's At Stake?
Both teams would love to go into the All-Star break on a high note, but the Bulls desperately need the rest for injured players. The Bulls will be without C.J. Watson, and Derrick Rose is playing with a bad toe and back issues.
This break couldn't come at a better time for them.
The Bucks would love to get off the slide. This is the worst stretch of the year for them, and perhaps the break can rejuvenate them.
What They're Saying
The NBA has hired a neurologist for every team to deal with the rare incident of concussion to a player. When asked how he felt about this practice, Tom Thibodeau said this to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:
""I think it’s smart," Thibodeau said. "As the information comes forward, it’s a good decision by the league to play it safe. It’s all precaution. We’ll see how he is after the break."
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Watson does have the break coming up, so he should be fine after the All-Star festivities.
This game is played in the United Center, but it tends to feel like the United Center even when these two teams meet in Milwaukee. The Bradley Center is usually pretty well stocked with Bulls fans because of the proximity of the cities.
Bucks coach Scott Skiles was asked about the traveling Bulls fans after a raucous Bulls contention helped spur the Bulls to a 113-90 win in Milwaukee on Feb 4.
Skiles said this to the Chicago Tribune's Fred Mitchell:
"“Seats are available, people are buying tickets. … I don’t think it’s that big of an issue. Hopefully the guys (on the Bucks) would have the type of mentality to play even harder.
"They just overwhelmed us in the first six minutes of that game from an energy standpoint. And that allowed all of those fans who were there to get into the game. The way to counter that is to silence them by playing well. And we weren’t able to do that.”
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The Bulls' popularity has their fanbase pretty well represented in most arenas around the league, but they dominate in small market-cities like Milwaukee so close to Chicago.
Bulls Player To Watch: Joakim Noah
Without Andrew Bogut in the middle, the Bucks won't have a big body to throw at Noah. The more physical centers give him the most trouble. I expect he'll likely have a double-double night matched up against Jon Leuer.
Hawks Player To Watch: Stephen Jackson
You may just have to watch Jackson on the bench. He has seen his minutes sliced significantly, and he would like to be traded. When asked if he sees a future in Milwaukee, Jackson said this to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.com:
"“Not at all,” Jackson told HOOPSWORLD. “It’s obvious, you can see that. I’m just waiting until my situation is different. I’m coming to work every day and keeping myself prepared so that when my situation does get better, I’m ready to go.”
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It would appear the Bucks are trying to find suitors, as he has played only 19 minutes per game in February. That is down 14 minutes from January.
The team needs a resolution soon, as they have struggled to a 4-8 record in February. It will be interesting to see whether he gets into the action tonight after a DNP coach's decision in the loss to the Magic.
Key Matchup: Derrick Rose vs. Brandon Jennings
It's always fun to see two young point guards go head to head. It just so happens one of them is the reigning MVP and one of the best players in the NBA. Rose has turned the corner into super-stardom, while Jennings is among the better players at the position, but not elite yet.
In eight previous matchups, Rose has outplayed Jennings. He has outscored him 22.4 to 12.4 and dished more assists (8.6 to 5.4), but the Bulls only have a 5-3 record against the Bucks in those games.
Prediction: Bulls 99, Bucks 82
The Bulls are playing pretty well considering their injury issues and the Bucks are a mess with injuries and inner turmoil.
The Bulls are at home and will handle Milwaukee with little issue.
