Bulls vs. Pacers: A Game with More Meaning Than Revenge

Revenge is a sweet thing in sports. The Bulls 96-91 win against the 76ers yesterday was more about attrition than revenge. Never mind what Derrick Rose or any Bulls player might tell you. The Bulls were not seeking vengeance in a game versus a team that had won the previous three meetings. Yesterday’s win was better for the mental stature of the Bulls; it was meant as a reminder to the 76ers that the Bulls are still one of the teams to beat in the East.

The Bulls are who the 76ers want to emulate; a tough, defensive-minded team that relies on a total team effort.

The game versus the Pacers tonight will be a totally different story.

In their game on January 25^th, the Pacers danced off of the United Center court during their 95-90 defeat of the Bulls.

The Pacers win painted a harsh picture for the Bulls players. The Pacers showed the Bulls up. Also, the Pacers suggested to the Bulls and the rest of the NBA that they will be a legitimate factor in the hunt for the championship.

The Bulls want to avenge that defeat tonight, but there is a different meaning to this game.

Tonight’s game will mark the fifth straight game this season that the Bulls will start with their opening day lineup.

The current starting lineup: Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Richard Hamilton and Rose have not played together long enough to solidify any true chemistry. It has been a difficult task to gauge where the Bulls are as a team with the injuries that Hamilton, Deng and Rose have suffered. All three players have missed significant time. The Bulls opening day lineup have only lost twice together.

A win tonight will provide fans some ease and offer a look into what kind of team the Bulls are while also showing what improvements that the Bulls need to make down the stretch. If anyone is uncertain how good the Bulls can be should use this game as Exhibit A.

If the Bulls struggle, they will need to tweak some things. If they dominate, then the Bulls will have proven that chemistry and injuries were the problem. Either way, tonight’s game means more than revenge.